says John Smoltz.

I guess that this was inevitable, and its probably good in a way, but fuck it--it sucks to be a Braves fan right now.

It might be too late for this season, but I think the Braves are in a great spot to be competitive next year. I don't think they need a major overhaul or anything. But yeah, they had to eventually lose their grip on NL East dominance. Bullpen is terrible. I'm not a Braves fan but that game was painful last night.

Getting swept by FLA was the worst, IMHO, but losing like they did to Boston last night was pretty bad, especially considering the Boston bullpen was awful as well until Papelbon (1.2 IP, 5 R)

I dont understand how a team with an $85 million dollar payroll can have this bad of a bullpen.

My plan for the pitching staff:

4 man rotation. (Hudson, Smoltz, Ramirez, Davies). Since they probably won't pick up the option on Smoltz anyway---fuck it, pitch him 8 innings a start.

Release John Thompson. Yesterday. Maybe trade him to Baltimore for some bats and balls because this guy is garbage without Leo around.

Sosa? Here's a rake, boy. Get to work on that infield.

Send the entire bullpen to the minors and replace them with the best of the minor league bullpens.

Honestly, it can't be any worse.

yeah man, braves got it pretty rough. speak to me when you're not making the playoffs every year. i mean this could be the first year since 94 ATL doesn't make the postseason! what a terrible legacy!

'94? not counting the strike, its been 1990 since we missed the playoffs.

Trade Smoltz. It's time. He can't pitch forever and get something for him while he can fetch alot. Sign a free agent Closer and a Starter in the off-season. Bullpens are tricky as it's hard to find consistent middle-relief from year to year. I remember ESPN did an article a long time ago about how most middle relievers are good every other year for some unknown reason.

oh my mistake. yeah, it's awful being a fan of such a consistently bad ballclub!

Being a Cubs fan is like heroin. I want to quit but damn it keeps making come back.

And the Cubs need to trade everyone not named Carlos Zambrano. Start over.

even Tubby Rusch? he might have the hookups at some pizza joints around town, and you can't possibly get rid of that

If I lived in Chicago, I'd take a baseball bat to his knees. I've never been so happy for a guy to go to the DL. I don't understand why this guy keeps getting put back in the rotation.

A: Dusty Baker.

same reason Neifi Perez somehow has a job.

You can't be too upset if you're a Braves fan. They've given you many many years of excitement and a championship in the last decade or so.

But Hendry resigned Rush for a considerable amount considering his talent and production in the majors. Hendry is frustrating. Made some really great moves and equally horrible.

i'm with you man. it's a dark, dark time.

I agree but damn, you don't go from being a perennial playoff team to just absolutely falling off the planet. I mean, the wheels have completely come off.

I have no idea where to even start with this team. Ownership has been cutting back payroll every year for years now. The signs were there before the season that things weren't going to add up.......like when our closer was going to be Chris Reitsma? Jesus, this guy couldn't pitch batting practice much less throw a 98 mph fastball to get someone out in the 9th.

I'm still an optimist when it comes to the teams I pull for and I think if they can make some moves and pull it together they MIGHT have a shot at the wild card but right now we are atrocious at every aspect of the game.

I don't think it's as bad as you think. Your hitting is pretty decent although some of the youngsters need to pick it up a bit. Laroche, Franceour, and Langerhans have not progressed as much as the team thought they would. McCann has been a stud this year. I would give these guys the rest of the year to show improvement otherwise ship them out.

The pitching on the other hand is atrocious which I'm sure has a lot to do with Mazzone going to Baltimore. I would trade Hudson this year and Smoltz even and get some prospects in here.

I'd hold onto Hudson. He's got a couple of good years still left probably. And losing him leaves a big hole. But Smoltz needs to go.

Of course you keep Hudson.

Sorry C, but I'm not taking advice on my starting rotation from a guy who pulls for a team who hasnt had a legit #1 starter since Steve Carlton.

You make it sound like I've been making the decisions for the Phillies. Oh, and you forget a starter by the name of Curt Schilling.

No I didnt

Aside from 1993, those arent #1 starter numbers when he was a Phillie

You're kidding me, right? I, unlike you, can be objective when discussing the Braves. You don't have to get all defensive cause I suggested the Braves trade Hudson to get some prospects back. You apparently don't agree, but I don't see how my opinion should matter any less cause I root for the Phillies.

Yeah, SD and I had this discussion on saturday whilst I was lounging beach side sucking up $9 pina coladas.

I think I summed it up with "Man, I guess all good things come to an end"

Doesn't bother me nearly as much as it would have say 5 years ago, but it is a pretty spectacular bedshitting