Manny Acosta
I would like to get some feedback on something: It seems like there are quite a few relief pitchers (several closers or former closers) on the market. While starting pitching is the Braves big need, suppose that they signed a high quality closer/set up man and then moved Manny Acosta into the starting rotation. I have heard talk previously of moving Acosta into the rotation. I like his stuff, and I think he might be one of those guys who just does better starting.
What do you think of the idea? If you like it, what free agent reliever should the Braves target to take Acosta's spot in the pen?
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20 comments
Comments
Bigjoe might jump off a bridge if he reads this post.
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Nov 20, 2008 4:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Smoltz could take his place.
I haven’t heard anything about this, but it is definitely intriguing. Witthout acosta, we would still have Smoltz, Gonzalez, Boyer, Bennett, Moylan, Soriano, and Carlyle. So I think the pen could take the hit. But can Acosta really start?
by someguy917 on Nov 20, 2008 4:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Let anybody take his place. I’d be happier with Jorge Sosa or Chris Reitsma
by Bmacbandwagon on Nov 20, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don’t even want Acosta, or as I like to call him, “worthless piece of shit”, on our 40 man roster. I’ve never been happy to see a Brave get hurt, but when he pulled his hamstring last year and went on the DL I cracked open a beer in celebration. No way in hell is he a starter. His only usefulness is as a garbage time pitcher, days the Braves are either up or down by 10 runs.
by Rhyno18 on Nov 20, 2008 7:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Ha, I love the nicknames Acosta has…
I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.
by Smoltz's Beard on Nov 20, 2008 8:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Let's be honest ...
Moving Acotsa to the rotation might be something to consider … if we didn’t have so many viable back-end-of-the-rotation guys (see: Morton, Campillo, Reyes, Morton, Hanson, Carlye, Bennett).
Mind you, I call them “back-end-of-the-rotation guys” in reference to where they currently fall in our rotation. Hanson will obviously be a legit number 3 at some pt.
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
by FrankyWren on Nov 20, 2008 7:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
acosta…rotation?
:jumps off bridge:
Following the Braves...one long hard drink at a time.
by bigjoe on Nov 20, 2008 8:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Exactly!
"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."
by FrankyWren on Nov 20, 2008 9:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think this bullpen could be something special with Moylan/Soriano/Gonzalez/Smoltz, provided everyone stays healthy. Acosta/Boyer et al make a pretty deep staff of power guys.
by TradeAndruw on Nov 20, 2008 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Aside from his rehab appearances for Richmond this year, Acosta hasn’t started since 2005, and hasn’t started with regularity since 2003. He didn’t pitch that much in 08 and I’d doubt that working back from an injury is the best scenario to try to stretch out his arm. Add in that he’s been pretty inconsistent, and this doesn’t have much chance of happening. He’s more likely to get non-tendered than become a starter.
by cbwilk on Nov 21, 2008 1:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Acosta jhasnt thrown enough strikes in the past to last as a starter. He has the stuff to be effective but not sure the command is there to keep in the game past the 4th or 5th inning. He is probably the best candidate out of our bullpen to move to the rotation though
by jeg on Nov 21, 2008 3:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Acosta can't even pitch one inning, how do you expect him to pitch 5?
I liked Acosta in 2007. Awful walk rate, but nasty stuff and a good K rate. In 2008 he’s not striking out anyone. In 2007, 96 MPH fastball, devastating 86 MPH change (that he didn’t through much, guess he can’t control it), and good slider. In 2008, fastball went to 94.4 MPH but changeup speed stayed the same, making it less effective, and slider was about the same. So really he shouldn’t have had too much trouble in 2008, but his strikeout rate disappeared.
by VictorW on Nov 21, 2008 10:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Control Problems
In 67 ML appearances and about 77 IP he has an ERA of 3.17. He had an ERA of 2.28 in 21 games in ‘07. Not all that bad but the BBs keep him from being very good. Seems to do better when he takes a little off and gets a lot of GBs. Take away about 6/8 really bad outings and that ERA drops to around 2.20/2.30. He will still only be 28 years old next season. About the age when many relievers seem to blossom. Don’t see any reason not to keep him in the mid relief role were he really did much better. He tends to want to overthrow and gets in trouble.
by braves99 on Nov 21, 2008 11:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree, move Manny...
but not into the starting rotation. Put him in the next trade if you can pawn him off on anyone. Good luck!
by BBFAN46 on Nov 21, 2008 11:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Why the hatred for Manny?
Doesn’t anyone remember that he was very good in middle relief (as was Boyer)? His problems started with a change in his role and dramatically increased workload. As VictorW points out above, his stuff is good – mid 90’s fastball, good change and slider. If he can pitch in 50 or so games and not have to deal the 9th inning very often, he’ll be a good pitcher again.
by buzzdeadwax on Nov 21, 2008 12:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The slings and arrows weren't as bad as I thought!
This falls under the just a thought type of thing. Not sure if I’m in favor or not. I have always liked his stuff, but like a lot of people I get frustrated at the results. My thought process was I wonder if having a set schedule, set warm up time, etc. might lead to better results. He could be one of those guys who starts out a little wild and works into a groove. Lots of pitchers (Glavine comes to mind) tend to struggle more in the 1st inning but settle down as they go. I just figure that it might be worth a shot.
by niekromurphy on Nov 21, 2008 4:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
LOL @
Hamlet reference in baseball.
by someguy917 on Nov 21, 2008 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's some Macbeth
Some find merit in my idea. Others think it is a tale told by an idiot.
by niekromurphy on Nov 21, 2008 6:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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