[leehrat]

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I like this deal a lot, 1st Rd draft picks are basically crapshots anyway. If Glavine can stay healthy and continue to pitch well this could really solidify the rotation.

-Smoltz
-Hudson
-Glavine
-James
-Hampton/Carlyle

This could be among the best Rotations in the League if the older guys can continue to pitch well and stay healthy. Hudson needs to get his career back on track and perform like he did in Oakland in the late 90's early 00's. Chuck James looks like he will be an average-above average middle of the rotation starter, and with Hampton who knows.

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And that's the huge caveat. James and Carlyle are both #5 starters, and Hampton (even if healthy, a huge if) will probably be a marginal #5 given his age, time off, etc. Who knows what to expect with him.

We can't expect Smoltz to remain healthy for the entire regular season, let alone into the playoffs at this stage of his career. Glavine loses gas down the stretch at his age, and Hudson can be schizophrenic. We still need a solid #4 pitcher, at least.