According to Ken Rosenthal, the Braves have signed lefty starter Mark Redman to a minor league contract. Mike Hampton could be out 4-6 weeks with an injury to his side, and the Braves needed a little depth in the rotation anyway. Redman follows Steve Trachsel as this offseason’s direct beneficiaries of injuries.
Last year, Ozzie Guillen hooked Redman up by making him the Royals’ All-Star rep over Mark Grudzielanek. Fortunately the Royals seem to have enough talent this year to get a real All-Star chosen. Personally, I kind of like the one per team rule. I’m amused when crappy players sneak onto the team. As a Cubs fan when they were terrible (almost always), I really did watch the All-Star Game mainly to see Steve Trachsel or Jon Lieber get his inning, or Mark Grace get his AB.
Anyway, a return to the NL should help Redman; he should be able to pitch like a fifth starter typically does or even better. Remember, the average fifth starter has an ERA over 6. If Redman is under 5 that’s not bad at all.
