Around the Horn and Back to Leo

Here is a smattering of news this week from around the NL East.

The Braves brought back a grey-haired reliever. Remlinger might find success as a situational lefty ala Jeff Fassero, who just keeps hanging around the big leagues year after year even at 43 years old. And don’t even try to keep track of the two dozen or so pitchers who will be auditioning for bullpen spots with the Braves this year.

Some in Philly have very high expectations for Flash Gordon. Meanwhile, the Phillies are trying to plug a big hole in the bullpen in front of Gordo, but their latest attempt has hit a snag.

The Mets’ quest to build a stronger bullpen might be a big off-season gamble. The NY Daily News only gives the bullpen moves a ‘maybe’ towards helping ‘to finally end the Braves’ stranglehold on the NL East.’ I wonder if these trades will be remembered along side the trades the Mariners made for relievers in ’97 when they dealt away young players like Varitek, Lowe, and Cruz Jr. for rent-a-relief pitchers Heathcliff Slocumb, Paul Spoljaric, and Mike Timlin. The Mets’ trades have also left the starting rotation without any depth and with unproven competition for the fifth spot.

The DC stadium saga continues.

Former Braves pitching coach Leo Mazzone was interviewed by Tim Kurkjian at ESPN about his past with Atlanta and his future in Baltimore. A Braves reliever from last year was told by Leo that they had some ‘unfinished business,’ and so he signed with the O's. Mazzone is already very popular with the fans in Baltimore.