Gearrin goes Linebrink Stays? Really??
By Fred Owens
I suppose the GM’s made dumber moves, signing Greg Norton twice comes to mind and trading for Kyle choke in the clutch Farnsworth last year when what we needed was someone dependable instead of a mop up man. Then of course there’s trading for a 250 hitter who had a 280 year because he’d provide speed from the leadoff spot only to find he doesn’t consider himself a leadoff man and of course can’t steal if he’s not on base. Then there’s. . .wait I don’t have that much space.
Today the Braves optioned Cory Gearrin to Gwinnett and kept both Scott Linebrink who in 13 innings had a 6.92 ERA (10 ER) , 1.615 WHIP, allowed 2.1 HR/9 (3 homers), 8.6 hits/9 and an ERA+ of 55 ( average ERA+ is set to 100) and our specialist in getting left handed hitting pitchers out George Sherrill. In some universe – the one where a GM cannot admit he’s made bad deal – this makes sense.
Even Fredi Gonzales’ statement was weak, not that he’s made any really strong ones so far.
"“It’s a shame,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “He gets his first win in the major leagues, and we’ve got to make a player move to send him down.”"
No Fredi you didn’t have to send him down, you and Frank Wren chose to send him down. There is a huge difference.
All Cory Gearrin did was slip up from Gwinnett when Peter Moylan’s back went out and step in like he’s been there all year. In his 10.1 innings Gearrin had an ERA of 3.48, WHIP of 0.774, no home runs, 4.4 hits/9 and an ERA+ of 111. Let’s see, how does that compare to Linebrink?. . . Hmmm
To put it simply the Braves sent the pitcher who had been dependable in every situation back to Gwinnett and kept the one who failed miserably because he’s a veteran. They sent the man who delivered when called on and kept the on who failed. That’s just plain bad judgment. It’s not a mistake to trade for a veteran who may help the team. It is a mistake to keep him when he’s shown he can’t do it anymore.
Before the season started I said “If his stuff is as good as last year he’ll be nearly be a fine compliment to Moylan’s sidearm double play encouraging stuff” and suggested that he’d win a couple along the way. His stuff wasn’t as good as last year, he didn’t squelch the long ball demon and he isn’t going win anything for us. I was wrong, I admit it. It’s time for the Frank Wren to admit it too.