Braves acquire LHP Eric O'Flaherty from Pirates

[dak]

[The Chosen One]

LOL.

I wonder if O'Flaherty cried not because he was leaving the Pirates but because he was going back to Fredi's bullpen for another Tommy John.

[The Chosen One]

Now we need to bring back either Venters or Walden and have the 2013-2015 hybrid bullpen.

[dak]

Has MLB salary of $1.75m. Last 3 years vs LHH: 244 / 316 / 285. Not elite, but very good.

[clvclv]

PLEASE let us find out this means the end of Jim Johnson's second stint here!!!

[mqt]

Wooooooooooooooo!

[clvclv]

Also may signal that Gant goes to Gwinnett if he's not the #5 SP. Llittle reason to keep him up in the pen over Perez at this point.

[mossy]

Love it!!

[bravesfanMatt]

Also may signal that Gant goes to Gwinnett if he's not the #5 SP.Llittle reason to keep him up in the pen over Perez at this point.

I am ok with this. if he isn't starting, then he needs to be starting in AAA

[rico43]

He has been watched very closely this spring. This means he is (finally) healthy again. Great job, waiting it out. The Ian Krol era is as dead as Caesar.

[rico43]

I am ok with this. if he isn't starting, then he needs to be starting in AAA

Why do I get the feeling that Gwinnett will be playing before packed houses the first part of the season?

[dak]

Sounds like there's a good chance another LHP is coming. Should not be too hard to find an option better then Torres at low acquisition cost.

[clvclv]

Sounds like there's a good chance another LHP is coming. Should not be too hard to find an option better then Torres at low acquisition cost.

Was just wondering whether that would keep us from making a play for Cotts as well.

[clvclv]

Would love to hear about Johnson being cut loose and a Cotts signing. If we could hold onto Torres and stash him in Gwinnett...

CL- Vizcaino
SU- Grilli
RP- Cotts
RP- Ogando
RP- Ramirez
LOOGY - EOF
LR- Winkler

might not be half-bad.

[bravesfanMatt]

Why do I get the feeling that Gwinnett will be playing before packed houses the first part of the season?

I think AA and AAA will be exciting teams that should be competing for the best records.

[Braves1976]

I am not sure EOF is back to the pitcher he once was, or even close to that, as he was quite dominate in the past. But he was always one of my favorite Braves so happy to bring him back and give him another shot.

[The Chosen One]

Someone told Fredi that pitchers throw harder after Tommy John so I think he assumed that means O'Flaherty can pitch 4-5 days in a row instead of 2-3.

"You know he's one of those guys who can give you 4-5 straight solid outings in as many days if needed. I'm happy to see my bullpen options triple everyday thanks to getting Eric back here".

[nsacpi]

Sounds like there's a good chance another LHP is coming. Should not be too hard to find an option better then Torres at low acquisition cost.

I'm glad they are still looking. The left handed side of the pen still appears to be an area of need.

[Julio3000]

Torres did not look good today. Faced mostly lefties, and mostly got crushed. He threw a 2-1 meatball to Bryce which left the yard in about .5 seconds, mercifully foul.

[Braves1976]

Torres did not look good today. Faced mostly lefties, and mostly got crushed. He threw a 2-1 meatball to Bryce which left the yard in about .5 seconds, mercifully foul.

Torres has never impressed me vs lefties. He has been impressive vs righties in the past however. He's one of those reversed splits lefties that is strong vs righties but weaker vs lefties. So if you keep him you keep him for more righties than facing lefties IMO.

That said, some have speculated that the Braves may aim to sign LHP Joe Thatcher who was recently cut lose by Cleveland.