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Wickman Relief from Cleveland to Braves
ATLANTA -- Just before he boarded his flight from St. Louis to Atlanta on Thursday morning, John Schuerholz made one final phone call, and ended it with a smile. He had just put the final touches on a trade to bring Bob Wickman from the Indians in exchange for Minor League catcher Maximiliano Ramirez.
"We had a need to bolster our bullpen," the Braves' executive vice president and general manager said in a conference call Thursday. "Bob is a proven closer with more than 200 saves, and we are confident he will help to anchor the bullpen in the ninth inning."
The acquisition of Wickman is expected to give the Braves the dependable veteran closer they've lacked throughout this season. In 29 appearances for the Indians this year, the 37-year-old right-hander has converted 15 of 18 save opportunities and compiled a 4.18 ERA.
A two-time All-Star (2000 and 2005), Wickman will be pitching for his fourth Major League club after stints with the New York Yankees (1992-96), the Milwaukee Brewers (1996-2000) and the Indians (2000-06). He has twice appeared in the postseason -- with the Yankees in 1995 and with the Indians in 2001.
Wickman struggled in June, posting a 9.00 ERA and converting just three of six save opportunites. But he's converted each of his four save opportunities this month. In the process, he's completed four scoreless innings, in which he's surrendered just three hits.
With his recent success, Wickman is looking more like he did last year, when he tied for an American League high with 45 saves and limited opponents to a .094 batting average when there were runners in scoring position.
Most of Wickman's struggles this year have come against left-handed batters, who are hitting .308 against him. Right-handed hitters are batting just .236.
The Braves have been frustrated by the lack of dependability they've had in the closer's role all season. Chris Reitsma and Jorge Sosa have converted just 11 of 19 save opportunites. Their struggles had an effect on the rest of the bullpen, which only recently has shown some signs of stability.
When Wickman joins the team in Philadelphia on Friday, Ken Ray will move into the primary setup role. Chad Paronto will also continue to see many opportunities in clutch late-inning situations.
With an improved bullpen, the Braves can feel more optimistic about their chances to gain entry into the postseason. After a miserable June, they've battled back and moved to within five games of the National League Wild Card.
Ramirez was hitting .285 with nine homers and 37 RBIs at Class A Rome this year. The 21-year-old catcher established himself as a solid prospect while hitting .347 at Danville last season. His success at the rookie level led him to be named the Appalachian League's co-player of the year.
Although Ramirez is a solid prospect, the Braves are well stocked at the catcher's position. All-Star catcher Brian McCann is just 22, and he should be in Atlanta for many years to come. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has struggled at Double-A Mississippi this year, but he's still considered one of the game's top catching prospects.
Financial details of the transaction aren't currently known. But Wickman's salary calls for him to receive approximately $2 million for the remainder of this season.
When he was unable to land a closer last offseason, Schuerholz was left with about $6 million to use for this year's payroll. Thus, he's still got some available funds and may use them to acquire more bullpen help or land a proven leadoff hitter.
"We had a need to bolster our bullpen," the Braves' executive vice president and general manager said in a conference call Thursday. "Bob is a proven closer with more than 200 saves, and we are confident he will help to anchor the bullpen in the ninth inning."
The acquisition of Wickman is expected to give the Braves the dependable veteran closer they've lacked throughout this season. In 29 appearances for the Indians this year, the 37-year-old right-hander has converted 15 of 18 save opportunities and compiled a 4.18 ERA.
A two-time All-Star (2000 and 2005), Wickman will be pitching for his fourth Major League club after stints with the New York Yankees (1992-96), the Milwaukee Brewers (1996-2000) and the Indians (2000-06). He has twice appeared in the postseason -- with the Yankees in 1995 and with the Indians in 2001.
Wickman struggled in June, posting a 9.00 ERA and converting just three of six save opportunites. But he's converted each of his four save opportunities this month. In the process, he's completed four scoreless innings, in which he's surrendered just three hits.
With his recent success, Wickman is looking more like he did last year, when he tied for an American League high with 45 saves and limited opponents to a .094 batting average when there were runners in scoring position.
Most of Wickman's struggles this year have come against left-handed batters, who are hitting .308 against him. Right-handed hitters are batting just .236.
The Braves have been frustrated by the lack of dependability they've had in the closer's role all season. Chris Reitsma and Jorge Sosa have converted just 11 of 19 save opportunites. Their struggles had an effect on the rest of the bullpen, which only recently has shown some signs of stability.
When Wickman joins the team in Philadelphia on Friday, Ken Ray will move into the primary setup role. Chad Paronto will also continue to see many opportunities in clutch late-inning situations.
With an improved bullpen, the Braves can feel more optimistic about their chances to gain entry into the postseason. After a miserable June, they've battled back and moved to within five games of the National League Wild Card.
Ramirez was hitting .285 with nine homers and 37 RBIs at Class A Rome this year. The 21-year-old catcher established himself as a solid prospect while hitting .347 at Danville last season. His success at the rookie level led him to be named the Appalachian League's co-player of the year.
Although Ramirez is a solid prospect, the Braves are well stocked at the catcher's position. All-Star catcher Brian McCann is just 22, and he should be in Atlanta for many years to come. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has struggled at Double-A Mississippi this year, but he's still considered one of the game's top catching prospects.
Financial details of the transaction aren't currently known. But Wickman's salary calls for him to receive approximately $2 million for the remainder of this season.
When he was unable to land a closer last offseason, Schuerholz was left with about $6 million to use for this year's payroll. Thus, he's still got some available funds and may use them to acquire more bullpen help or land a proven leadoff hitter.
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