Plan B?

The rich just get richer don’t they? This after news broke that the Yankees had signed A.J. Burnett to a 5 year, $82.5 million contract. Add to that the other free agent jewel the Yanks picked up in CC Sabathia and well it just makes me very nauseous this early in the morning.

So what now for the Braves? Should they try to get the Padres on the phone and see if they can strike a deal together for Jake Peavy? Should they get Derek Lowe or Ben Sheets agent’s on the phone? Is there someone hiding in a foreign country that would be a spark for Atlanta’s lackluster rotation? Because here’s the problem, the Javier Vazquez pick up is only a good trade if he is used as a 3/4 pitcher, not as their ace.

From the Braves standpoint, GM Frank Wren has said Atlanta is not interested in Derek Lowe. Ben Sheets in any normal person’s mind is far too great a risk to base an entire rotation on. He could be a very good pick for a team that is stocked, but the Braves are not stocked. Brad Penny and Randy Wolf remain untouched, but I don’t see either one fitting into the role, they would need to fit into. And even though the Padres are desperate to cut payroll, the Braves are pretty desperate too. After giving up Tyler Flowers and Brent Lillibridge to the White Sox for Vazquez, I think the Braves should leave their farm system alone for the time being.

While it looks like I am giving up hope, I am not. I think the Burnett news, makes the Braves signing John Smoltz more paramount, if he is indeed healthy enough to pitch. I do not consider him an answer to the ace role, but as more of a way to fill the gap that Tim Hudson’s injury has placed in the rotation for this season.

Atlanta is also looking at another Japanese starter named Kenshin Kawakami. As per the AJC article I was reading his stats look something like this:

He has a 112-72 career record and 3.22 ERA, led his league in strikeouts in 2006, and had a career-best strikeout rate in 2008, when he totaled 113 strikeouts with 30 walks in 117-1/3 innings during the regular season.

However, the Braves are not the only interested party. The Red Sox, Orioles, Dodgers and Angels all seem to have their eye on this guy. And unfortunately, he’s projected as more of a #2 or 3 starter not the ace in the hole Atlanta is hoping for. But he would add depth to the rotation and his veteran status could be a good fit with the team.

News&Notes: Chuck James was the only Brave not to be tendered a contract.