This rant started on the We Should Be GM's comment section then continued when I wrote a diary on The Good Phight. It is about Matt Smith, and while he is probably not high up on the list of things to be really concerned about for 2007, I want to express my distaste for people saying that Matt Smith is a "lock" for the bullpen. Due to laziness and my need for sleep, I will just copy/paste my post from the Good Phight...A lot of relievers are struggling this spring. It isn't cause for panic just yet, since there are still 3 weeks until opening day. But one reliever has got me thinking: Matt Smith.
He was said to be the best thing we got out of the Abreu trade and looked good last year for the Phillies. During the offseason, when talks about our need for arms in the bullpen arose, Smith was considered a lock to be our 'lefty specialist.' I never gave it much thought until now (and it's possible that if he wasn't struggling with an ERA in the 16's, I wouldn't be thinking about this at all), but should Smith be our main southpaw out of the pen?
To guarantee someone with only 20.2 innings pitched in his entire career a spot in a major league bullpen seems a bit extreme. Sure he pitched really well for both us and the Yankees, but if I recall correctly, Chris Coste did a hell of a job last season and he is guaranteed a spot in 2007. Also, Smith only pitched 8.2 innings in Philadelphia. And while he was great for us, the two earned runs he gave up in 2006 were against left-handed hitters. Not so great for a man called upon just to get lefties out. And I do understand that it was a small sample size.
I am willing to give him a chance and I completely understand the need for solid (lefty) arms in our incredibly shotty bullpen. But should Matt Smith get a free pass due to the 20.2 innings he pitched in his entire career? If he continues to have a horrible Spring, should Smith still be in our bullpen? Or will he just be there because we simply have nothing better?
I am probably just making a big deal out of nothing and hopefully he will succeed for us. I just hope the best possible players break camp in April because as of right now, our bullpen looks the inside of a Port-O-Potty. And Gordon's suspect trip up north isn't helping.And because I don't like depressing or negative posts, here is a very funny picture to brighten our days...
...best bathroom ever.
7 comments:
No free passes but Smith is alright. He's at least earnt the right to a good long look this spring.
Imagine a belly full of schooners and going for a piss in that dunny. You'd just be trying to piss all over the wall. Ha!
Aim high.
hahaha..."aim high" - Brilliant.
And I agree he deserves a good look. I just hope he shows the Phillies something
Those pictures on the bathroom are just asking for a golden shower.
I truly hope Matt Smith works his kinks out this spring, because our bullpen kinda needs him.
I think Matt Smith will be fine. Unless there's an injury concern that I haven't read about, the spring numbers are exactly what you mentioned above, a small sample size. I like to judge pitchers by seeing them pitch rather than their numbers, especially relievers. And from what I saw from Smith last year, he looked decent.
I think those bathroom ladies should have a sensor on their mouths that detect moisture and when activated, an air horn goes off on the errant tinkler.
What an excellent picture!
I don't expect great things from Matt Smith, but I hope he proves to be a reliable middle relief guy.
i've got the Kruk rock opera video on my blog today
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