Kyle Davies-Hiram, as I called him, was exactly what I love in young pitching. Velocity, a solid curve, and the youth on his side. However, what he lacked was...production. In the slightest. It was straight up horrible at times, including last year. Even Lance Cormier would occasionally have a nice week or two. Davies seemed to have a game in which he might turn the corner, only to suck horribly. Such was the case on May 22nd, when he dominated the Mets over eight innings and even hit a homer. The next game, eight runs in 4.1 ING to the Phillies. He then gave up just a run to the Cubs before five runs to the Marlins. Quality starts were isolated. So, the Braves made the choice to listen to deals and they got one in the form of Octavio Dotel from the Royals. Davies continued his inability to stay productive for just consecutive starts in the AL, but then spoke of how the Braves clubhouse was part of the problem for him.
2008 Outlook: Even in Kansas City, Davies is running out of time to make something of himself. He stayed healthy last year and pitched a MLB personal best 136 innings, but that meant he wasn't quite averaging five innings in his 28 starts, hardly anything to write home about. I wish him the best cause I've always liked him, but at a certain point, you need to produce.
Joey Devine-The Braves simply want Joey Devine to fail. From the 2005 horrible failures to this year as he got jockeyed between Mississippi and Atlanta so many times, he'd be forgiven for wearing the wrong uniform, Devine has had a certain mystique about him. Great movement, closer material, and after 2005 failed, the Braves tried to go slower with him. Injuries nearly took an entire 2006 campaign from him, but in between all the call-ups, one thing was for sure. Devine had a great year. In 57 innings between Mississippi and Richmond, Devine racked up 78 strikeouts and walked 19. Only two people hit a homer off him. Used almost entirely as the closer (43 games finished out of 50 overall games), Devine logged 20 saves between the levels. In the majors, Devine's control was a problem (8 walks in 8.1 ING), but the strikeouts were there.
2008 Outlook: It's now or never for Joey D. He burned his final option this year. But after initially looking like they were trying to screw up the kid, the Braves took a more reasonable approach this year and the results were great. He may still go through some growing pains next year, but at least the star is still lit and there is some hope.
Matt Diaz-For the longest time, Matt Diaz was a mystery to me. On one side, the guy could hit. On the other, players typically don't go searching for a shot for that long of a time and finally get one as they get closer to 30. So, I've accepted in a sense what Diaz is. This year, he set career highs in nearly every category, including a sweet 16 walks (w00t!). Also new highs was the .320/.368/.497 clip he posted. His defense in left is oddly loved by stats when I have only seen a crazy man. Maybe, in his insanity, his defense comes out. I dunno. I do know the platoon he was in with Willie Harris was an absolute joke over the final two months.
2008 Outlook: There is a growing contingent of Braves fans who want to see Diaz get his shot. In a sense, he's earned it. For two consecutive years, he found a wake to post a BABIP in the very high .300's. In 2006, it was .380. In 2007, it was .392. That certainly puts a damper on the "it was a fluke" charge. The worst thing you can do is underscore what Diaz did do because it was pretty solid. On the other hand, Diaz is hitting arbitration and the Braves have Brandon Jones, a guy with a solid future in this game. It's a tough call, but I think he'll be back, though Bobby still may not give him a starting gig.
Octavio Dotel-Traded around the deadline for Kyle Davies, Dotel was a solid pickup...for about two weeks before Dotel did as Dotels do and got himself hurt again. In the past three seasons, Dotel has appeared in 62 games and pitched 55.1 ING. While with the Braves, his strikeout arm flourished. He gave up a few runs, but pitched very solidly with a FIP of 2.23. This after saving 11 with the Royals and putting up decent numbers there (though a high WHIP of 1.52 is nothing to write home about).
2008 Outlook: Dotel has an odd player's option for next season. He finished 25 games this year, good for a bonus of $600K on his 2007 salary of $5M. His player's option came with a base salary of $5.5M, plus the $600K, making the salary $6.1M. Oh, but the team can decline the option. Why not call it a mutual option then? I'm sure the Braves would be interested in bringing him back, but not at that salary.
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Credit to Rain Delay for the Devine picture.
1 comment:
That is the best picture of Kyle Davies EVER.
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