Yes you read the title right, the Braves signed Mike Remlinger to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. It's obvious from last season, that his best days are far behind him.
"We hope that this is a win-win situation for both sides," Braves
general manager John Schuerholz said. "We hope that Mike's career can
get back on track and he can regain the level of pitching he enjoyed
for so many years before shoulder problems got the better of him."
There's the very good possibility that he wont make the club out of spring training. So really the Braves have nothing to loose. He was at his best from 99-2002. In 2002 he made the All-Star team, but really was lost in the shuffle when you had Smoltz nailing down 55 saves that year.
"I feel at lot better than I did at the end of last year," said
Remlinger, who posted a 6.58 ERA while with the Cubs and Red Sox last
year.
Nobody is expecting Remlinger to be as effective as he was when he
posted a 1.99 ERA in 71 appearances for the Braves in 2002. But the
veteran hurler believes being reunited with manager Bobby Cox and
bullpen coach Bobby Dews will put him in an environment where he has
the best chance to succeed.
[...]
"When you have respect for a man like I do for Bobby Cox, you're going
to do whatever you can to please them. I look at Bobby as being like a
father. I just have so much respect for him and what he has done for
me."
I'm afraid that without Leo, it's just not going to happen. The Braves weren't even really interested in Remmy until he took a physical and there were good signs that his shoulder would be stronger this year than last. On the off chance he does make the bullpen, he could be a veteran figure in a very young bullpen. A bullpen that still doesn't have a closer and more than one spot up for grabs.
Even though like I said, it's not likely he's going to make the club, I'm glad to see Schuerholz at least giving Mike a chance to make the club. This signing wont hurt the club one way or another in my opinion. He's eager to get things going, and plans to start throwing off a mound this week and then hopefully meet up with the Braves new Pitching Coach - Roger McDowell in Atlanta.
In case your interested, here's Mike Remlingers stats - Thanks to the Baseball Cube.