Wednesday, May 03, 2006

The Slaves sign

former Met pitcher Tyler Yates. This was a guy who was going to be a big-time pitcher from Hawaii who was going to be a solid strikeout hurler in New York. Kind of like Sid Fernandez except right handed and 200 pounds lighter. But then he had ligament replacement surgery on his right elbow on February 3, 2005 and appeared in 21 games with the Mets in 2004. He was good, but not fully recovered. Last I heard, Baltimore had signed him around spring training, but I guess they let him go.

Anyway, two different Atlanta team executives have said Yates will likely be in the Atlanta bullpen before the season concludes. He'll pitch in extended Spring Training for about a week and then join Richmond in AAA.

Is there any doubt the Braves have found their star closer for this year? The only doubt I have is no more Leo Mazzone. Watch he'll average 1.5 strikeouts per inning and go about 30 for 33 in save opportunities. He'll be this year's Bobby Jenks. And a former Met will be doing it. Would anybody really be shocked???

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