Nov 14 2008
BRAVES HALT TALKS WITH PADS; PEAVY TRADE DEAD FOR NOW
By Bud L. Ellis
braves.today.com
ATLANTA — For now, the Jake Peavy Watch can end.
The Alabama-bred ace right-hander will not be pitching for the Atlanta Braves in 2009, at least the way things stand tonight after the Braves broke off trade talks with the San Diego Padres surrounding the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner.
The Braves, who have negotiated with the Padres for the past five weeks to try and acquire the 27-year old, announced Friday they were pursuing other options to fill the gaping holes in their starting rotation.
Atlanta was rumored to offer a four-player package for Peavy, highlighted by starting shortstop Yunel Escobar. But with Friday marking the first day free agents could negotiate with any team, coupled with the frustration of the Padres’ refusal to commit to a deal, led Atlanta to end discussions.
BELOW is today’s original blog, discussing whether the Braves would explore signing Mike Hampton:
ATLANTA — What if I told you there was a free agent pitcher who averaged six innings per start in 2008, who gave up three earned runs or less in 69 percent of his outings, and who walked four or more hitters just twice?
You’d say go out and get that guy.
What if I told you the above-referenced stats belong to Mike Hampton?
You’d probably punch me.
OK, violent reactions aside, in crunching the numbers on Hampton the other night, it really surprised me just how effective ol’ Mike was when he made his long-awaited return to the hill after a nearly three-year long absence.
Even factoring in the fact he allowed six runs twice in his first four starts, Hampton’s numbers were pretty solid. In comparison to some of the pitching Braves Nation was subjected to in 2008, the stats sparkle brighter.
Hampton logged 78 innings in his 13 starts. His 4.85 ERA was 8.10 after his first four starts; after that, Hampton gave up just 24 earned runs in his final 58 innings, a 3.72 ERA.
Yes, there is no guarantee Hampton will be healthy in 2009. We all know his injury history, so no need to trudge down that road again. But the fact is Hampton produced three months of solid results that aren’t reflected in his 3-4 record, and he didn’t have any injury issues along the way.
So, can a 35-year-old veteran left-hander help the Atlanta Braves in 2009? Sure he can, but he can help a bunch of other teams, too. And if you’re the Braves, there is no way you can offer Hampton a big contract.
Somebody will, and then it will be up to Hampton. The Braves are open to bringing him back and giving him a chance to win a spot in a rotation that’s going to be revamped this winter. If the Braves indeed make him an offer, there is no guarantee Hampton will take it, knowing there will be other suitors out there with better offers.
But one hopes Hampton will see how the Braves supported him during his long layoff – something Hampton has publicly acknowledged. It wouldn’t surprise me at all to see Hampton at Lake Buena Vista come mid-February. And, if he pitches in camp the way he did in those 13 starts last season, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Hampton on the opening-day roster.
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