Update: Mike Plugh has mentioned the Braves as one of the top suitors for Uehera. He also mentioned that winning this year would go along way to getting Uehera to sign.
It's never too early to look at 2008. This post is the first in a series of posts relating to the 2008 team and it's contracts. What better place to start than the part of the club that's been giving fans heart attacks all year, the starting rotation.
We know these players will be on the team:
John Smoltz:
Contract: $14mil 1 year contract with options for '09 and '10. The '09 option vests on 200 inning pitched and is for $12mil. The '10 option is a club option for $12mil with a $2mil escalator with 200 innings pitched in '09.
Status: We all know John will be at the top of our rotation next year. However, injury concerns this year have him currently on the DL. I'm not sure how a man over 40 can pitch like he has and I don't see him improving next year. Still, on his worst day he's a better #2 than most of the rest of the league's #2s.
Tim Hudson:
Contract: $13mil for '08 and '09 with a mutual option for '10 at $12mil or a $1mil buyout.
Status: Tim is another one we know will be at the top of our rotation next year. I can foresee him being the #1 to take some pressure of Smoltz. There aren't realy any worries here as long as Huddy keeps himself committed like he is this year.
Mike Hampton:
Contract: $15mil left on his monster 8 year contract and a $20mil '09 option (the buyout is being paid by Colorado).
Status: We count on Hampton for nothing. Anything we get is gravy.
Chuck James:
Contract: none (still under team control and not arbitration eligible). $.395mil contract likely.
Status: In an ideal world Chucky would be a #4 or #5 in our rotation. He's been decent this year but nothing spectacular.
Buddy Carlyle:
Contract: None ('07 is a 1 year contract at $.4mil)
Status: He's been useful filling in at the bottom of the order, but i doubt he'll stick in the rotation for '08.
Kyle Davies:
Contract: None (still under team control and not arbitration eligible).
Status: If he fixes his problems and banishes his evil twin he can win himself the #5 spot. It's just not his yet.
Jo-Jo Reyes:
Contract: None (still under team control and not arbitration eligible).
Status: Too young to really stick in the rotation but the pen is an option worth looking into.
Matt Harrison:
Contract: Minor Leaguer
Status: Very young but he has the stuff of a middle to top of the rotation guy. If the braves loose confidence in Davies for '08 we could see this kid right out of spring training.
External Options:
I very much doubt that JS is going to make a big splash in the FA market. However, trades are possible. I won't even dabble in who's even available in the trade market this winter, but i know JS is looking for a #3 or a potential replacement for Smoltz. An international signing is not out of the question.
Koji Uehera:
Status: FA after the 2007 season from Yomiuri Giants.
Upside: He is a command pitcher who pitches like Greg Maddux did. At 32 he'll be well seasoned and ready to pick up a #3 spot and contribute. No posting Fee.
Downside: After Dice-K, Uehera was likely the best starter in Japan last year. This year he's been a closer out of need. Both of these facts make it almost assured that he's on a few people's radar. He won't get a monster contract like Dice-K but he might pull off something in the $30mil 3 year range w/o pitching a day in the bigs. Also, to my knowledge, the braves haven't signed a player directly out of the pacific rim yet. Take a look at MLBtraderumors.com has to say on him.
Final Prediction:
1) Smoltz
2) Hudson
3) ???
4) James
5) Davies/Harrison
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