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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

MLB.com: Braves sign veteran Dessens

MLB is always a better place when it has a guy with such an old-school name as “Elmer” playing, I think.

The Braves have agreed to terms with Elmer Dessens on a Major League contract for the remainder of the 2008 season. The 37-year-old right-hander, who spent this year pitching in Mexico, is expected to join the Braves later this week.

Dessens, who has gone 48-61 with a 4.50 ERA in 11 Major League seasons, went to the Mexican League after being released by the Pirates on March 27. In 20 games (19 starts) with the Mexico City Red Devils, he was 10-2 with a 4.03 ERA.

MLB.com: Braves acquire prospect for Kotsay

NTNgod Posted: August 27, 2008 at 08:36 PM | 20 comment(s)
Related News: General, Atlanta

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1. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: August 27, 2008 at 09:02 PM (#2919423)

Why?

2. MM1f Posted: August 27, 2008 at 09:35 PM (#2919502)

Because we freaking suck
And most of our pitchers freaking suck or are hurt, or both.

We seriously have no arms. We've called up Francisly Bueno (who? exactly.), Valdimir Nunez (last in MLB 4 years ago) and Matt DeSalvo (granted, one of my favorite minor league warriors) and signed Julian Tavarez.
Richmond has nothing in terms of veterans to eat innings to call up so we're forced to do this.

3. flournoy Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:01 PM (#2919602)

Very good signing. I don't even care if he's going to be any good or not. Jurrjens is running out of gas and so is Campillo. Hampton... no comment, though he was great today in a losing effort. If Morton or Reyes pitches five innings, no matter how many runs they give up, that's an impressive outing for them. Chuck James... what the hell is wrong with him? The Braves have no pitching depth, and they really need to go to a six man rotation in September so Jurrjens and Campillo don't die. They need innings.

4. Joe C isn't Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:02 PM (#2919607)

5. Russlan is an overhyped Met BTFer Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:08 PM (#2919632)

Also, you can't just keep calling guys up from the minors when they aren't on the 40-man roster. They can let Dessens throw innings that don't matter and keep their real prospects off the 40-man roster.

6. Soul Man Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:15 PM (#2919648)

I'm fine with this since we're already out of it, but what are we supposed to do next year? We'll have Hudson and maybe Smoltz and then...all these guys we've got right now. And the offense doesn't look too scary outside of Chipper and McCann. We're going to need better pitching than we've got right now.

I say we take our chances on Pedro this offseason.

7. Kyle S Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:25 PM (#2919686)

Actually, Hudson will likely miss all of next year.

8. flournoy Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:36 PM (#2919722)

Smoltz won't be in the rotation either, if he ever pitches again at all.

Meet next year's rotation: Same as the current rotation. (Minus Hampton)

EDIT: And before anybody suggests it, NO, I do not want the Braves to sign Hampton to a small one year incentive laden contract. They can find plenty of other retreads to invite to spring training, all of whom will benefit from not being Mike Hampton. Close the chapter on him. No more. I don't want to hear the phrase, "If Hampton is healthy..." next year.

9. Russlan is an overhyped Met BTFer Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:36 PM (#2919723)

I say we take our chances on Pedro this offseason.

Why don't you just stab me in the heart and get it over with.

The Braves have a lot of money to spend and could sign a frontline starter if they want.

10. flournoy Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:48 PM (#2919740)

The Braves could sign Pedro, and then he'd average 12 IP per year over the duration of his contract. No thanks.

11. Mike Hampton's #1 Fan Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:49 PM (#2919742)

The Braves have a lot of money to spend and could sign a frontline starter if they want.

Given the way they've been going lately, Ben Sheets will look good in an Atlanta uniform next year. Well, for a couple of starts, anyway.

I don't want to hear the phrase, "If Hampton is healthy..." next year.

Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!

12. flournoy Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM (#2919755)

I apologize. Please forgive me.

My main point being that I and probably a lot of other Braves fans have had enough of old injury prone starters. Those are not the guys to sign next year.

13. Dr Love Posted: August 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM (#2919756)

Meet next year's rotation: Same as the current rotation. (Minus Hampton)

Don't be shocked if Hampton is back on the cheap next year.

14. flournoy Posted: August 27, 2008 at 11:05 PM (#2919780)

I wouldn't be, to be honest. But as I've already said, I do not favor the move.

15. Russlan is an overhyped Met BTFer Posted: August 27, 2008 at 11:06 PM (#2919784)

It'd be kind of funny if Hampton had a nice season after signing a cheap deal considering how little he has produced for all the money he has been paid recently.

16. Dr Love Posted: August 27, 2008 at 11:18 PM (#2919802)

It'd be kind of funny if Hampton had a nice season after signing a cheap deal considering how little he has produced for all the money he has been paid recently.

It would be, and because of how little he's produced for so much he's said that he would be willing to come back on a cheap contract, he feels he owes the Braves. Not pitching well since coming back doesn't help him any though, although I'm not sure that will stop Wren from re-signing him.

17. Posada Posse Posted: August 28, 2008 at 12:18 AM (#2919850)

Some other stats from Dessens in the Mexican League: 105 innings, 129 hits, 10 HR's, 51 K's, 17 walks, 1.39 WHIP.

A couple of other interesting names playing in that league according to their website:

Jose Offerman hitting .317/.430/.468;
Jose Macias hitting .349/.396(!)/.492

18. NTNgod Posted: August 28, 2008 at 12:24 AM (#2919851)

Well, Dessens was pitching in a home park that's nearly a mile and a half above sea level. It's not exactly a pitcher's league :P

19. Posada Posse Posted: August 28, 2008 at 12:31 AM (#2919854)

Well, Dessens was pitching in a home park that's nearly a mile and a half above sea level. It's not exactly a pitcher's league :P

Oh, right, he pitched for Mexico City. Macias played for the same team, which might partially explain his numbers as well.

20. rb's team is inventing new ways to lose! Posted: August 28, 2008 at 09:54 AM (#2920005)

World series here we come!!!

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MLB.com: Braves sign veteran Dessens

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