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The Loyal Homer very much enjoyed the arguments presented by Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek. This debate is my favorite debate to this point!
Bleacher Fan made a very entertaining argument, highlighted by a situation that many guys have found themselves in at some point or another, so, kudos to Bleacher Fan for that. He also mentioned that fact that Glavine did everything that was asked of him when he signed this contract. He was productive, statistically at least, in his rehab assignments.
Sports Geek opened with a phony statement from Glavine… a sarcastic quote. He then elaborated that even the 2008 Tom Glavine was ineffective, and concluded that baseball is a business. That fact should not be forgotten.
After much deliberation (I actually went over the facts of the case while eating a chocolate chip waffle from Waffle House… a fine eating establishment that likely helped some college students get through college), I have chosen a winner. While I expect the loser will voice their displeasure, the winner of this debate is…
SPORTS GEEK!!!!!
As I was driving home today, I was leaning towards Bleacher Fan. Glavine was told that all he needed to do was make several rehab starts in the minors to build up his stamina. If he was able to do that effectively, and if he reported no soreness, he would be penciled in as the fifth starter in the Braves rotation. In fact, it was widely assumed by Glavine, players, and fans, that after his last start in Rome (low-A ball), he would make the hour drive down to Atlanta to make his next start with the big league club.
But, the more I thought about it, the more believed the Braves were justified in how they handled the situation. Do I believe Frank Wren when he said the release was not a financial move? Nope. A trade for Nate McLouth – on the same day – proves to me that finances did influence the decision-making process. I believe the status of Tommy Hanson also was a factor. Hanson, arguably, makes the Braves better in the long run (and quite possibly the short run despite his ERA of 9.00 after his first start).
As Sports Geek wrote, at the end of the day, baseball is a business. In the past six months, the Braves have proved that by allowing former starter/closer John Smoltz get away, and now again by releasing Glavine. These two moves, especially the Smoltz move, were not popular with fans. But, looking back, the Smoltz move was the right move. And releasing Glavine will turn out to be the right move also… and it was done justifiably!
Read Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek’s opinions.
