Smoltz Signs with Cardinals

Nutlaw · 08-20-2009, 05:41 PM

Others don't seem nearly as psyched about the Cardinals' signing of Smoltz as I am, but here's my defense of my position:

Looking into John Smoltz, circa 2009 | The Cardinal Nation blog

PotatoPeeler · 08-20-2009, 06:22 PM

Next to Maddux, Smoltz is my favorite pitcher of all time. That being said, I think he's done.

Chief Wahoo · 08-23-2009, 11:47 AM

For the $100,000 the Cards are paying Smoltz it's worth the gamble for me. I'd rather just see him coming in as the set up man though.

Déjà Bru · 08-23-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

Next to Maddux, Smoltz is my favorite pitcher of all time. That being said, I think he's done.

I'm rooting for him but I think you are right.

TribeFanInNC · 08-23-2009, 12:52 PM

It's certainly worth the risk and he may pan out in relief. But his 1.000 OPS against with Boston would make me worried about him facing anyone that can hit. Like hitters on playoff teams.

canadiancreed · 08-23-2009, 01:11 PM

Men insurance with a marketable name but nothing more.

The Oz · 08-23-2009, 05:18 PM

Smoltz has 7 consecutive strikeouts, and counting... Not bad for his first Cards start.

dsvitak · 08-23-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Oz

Smoltz has 7 consecutive strikeouts, and counting... Not bad for his first Cards start.

Good curveball, keeping the ball down.

Five innings, no runs. This should do wonders for his ERA!

Nutlaw · 08-24-2009, 05:55 PM

*cough* Not looking bad so far.

dsvitak · 08-25-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

Next to Maddux, Smoltz is my favorite pitcher of all time. That being said, I think he's done.

So, it cost the Cardinals 100k for a win, even if he doesn't do anything else.

That is good value, already! When you consider the #1 starters are getting a million dollars per win, or more.

TribeFanInNC · 08-25-2009, 09:44 AM

The report I heard was that the Cards told him he was tipping his pitches. I guess he worked on that. Certainly a nice outing.

dsvitak · 08-25-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

The report I heard was that the Cards told him he was tipping his pitches. I guess he worked on that. Certainly a nice outing.

I heard this on the local ESPN Radio talk show, just now, here in St. Louis.

If word got around on what the next pitch was, then that would account for his huge drop from last year.

The last two years, 2007-2008, his WHIP was 1.17, and 1.18. I can't believe that this year he would have such a huge drop off.

myasu · 08-26-2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribeFanInNC

The report I heard was that the Cards told him he was tipping his pitches. I guess he worked on that. Certainly a nice outing.

Cardinals found out about his tipping pitches, and the Red Sox could not...
Very interesting.
Sox coaches, scouts should be biting their lips now.

Splitter24 · 08-26-2009, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myasu

Cardinals found out about his tipping pitches, and the Red Sox could not...
Very interesting.
Sox coaches, scouts should be biting their lips now.

If that was actually the case, I'd be surprised.

A 40+ year old pitcher coming off of major shoulder surgery struggling to the extent that he did is perfectly understandable, especially given the setbacks he had during his rehab. "Tipping" his pitches implies that every team he faced picked up on it (given his wretched stats) but the Red Sox didn't. I just don't find that too likely.

dsvitak · 08-26-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Splitter24

If that was actually the case, I'd be surprised.

A 40+ year old pitcher coming off of major shoulder surgery struggling to the extent that he did is perfectly understandable, especially given the setbacks he had during his rehab. "Tipping" his pitches implies that every team he faced picked up on it (given his wretched stats) but the Red Sox didn't. I just don't find that too likely.

John Smoltz, during a news conference yesterday, talking about his mechanics. Pitching coach Dave Duncan, one of the finest EVER, noticed from watching film that his arm slot was too low, and this was causing his cutter and splitter to come in way too flat, especially to lefties. I think that this is more likely than tipping his pitches, although Chris Carpenter said he was able to do that, during a Smoltz throwing session.

We have to wait and see what happens now...but with a nine game lead, the Cards can afford to toss him out there as the #4 starter, and let him work himself into emotional and physical shape.

Lefties, for the year, OWNED him. Righties hit .232 for the year against him in Boston, and this has dropped still further.

ANOTHER point, is look at his strikeout to walk ratio for this year: 42:9, or 4.7:1.

A 4.7:1 ratio is excellent, as is 42 strikeouts in 45 innings, for the year.

Get the release point fixed, wind him up, and let him go. The Cardinals got a steal here!

08-20-2009, 06:22 PM	#2
PotatoPeeler Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rapid City, SD Posts: 3,639	Next to Maddux, Smoltz is my favorite pitcher of all time. That being said, I think he's done. __________________ 培傑西 I have never taken a lesson on how to talk on TV in my life. - Tim McCarver Guns have only two enemies; rust and liberals. The world is a comedy to those that think; a tragedy to those that feel.

08-23-2009, 11:47 AM	#3
Chief Wahoo Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Moro, IL Posts: 346 Blog Entries: 1	For the $100,000 the Cards are paying Smoltz it's worth the gamble for me. I'd rather just see him coming in as the set up man though. __________________ Chief Wahoo

08-20-2009, 05:41 PM	#1
Nutlaw Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,538	Smoltz Signs with Cardinals Others don't seem nearly as psyched about the Cardinals' signing of Smoltz as I am, but here's my defense of my position: Looking into John Smoltz, circa 2009 \| The Cardinal Nation blog

08-23-2009, 12:52 PM	#5
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	It's certainly worth the risk and he may pan out in relief. But his 1.000 OPS against with Boston would make me worried about him facing anyone that can hit. Like hitters on playoff teams.

08-23-2009, 01:11 PM	#6
canadiancreed Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 11,660 Blog Entries: 1	Men insurance with a marketable name but nothing more.

08-23-2009, 05:18 PM	#7
The Oz Minors (Single A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: St. Louis, Mo Posts: 71	Smoltz has 7 consecutive strikeouts, and counting... Not bad for his first Cards start.

08-24-2009, 05:55 PM	#9
Nutlaw Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 9,538	cough Not looking bad so far.

08-25-2009, 09:44 AM	#11
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	The report I heard was that the Cards told him he was tipping his pitches. I guess he worked on that. Certainly a nice outing.