Braves re-sign Bob Wickman

[Braveheart]

http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060920&content_id=1672960&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl

:D

[TheMatrix31]

Good news! I love the fat-man.

This basically bumps us up to playoff contenders, because we won't have NEARLY as many blown saves as we did before we got Wickman in the first place.

[oyhstah crachah]

SCORE! :cownana:

[McCarroll21]

This basically bumps us up to playoff contenders, because we won't have NEARLY as many blown saves as we did before we got Wickman in the first place.Also, don't forget Boyer and Devine coming back, Macay's progress and all the arms thrown to the fire not pitching in the "important" innings.

Sweet! I'm just glad someone is on some news before me ... keep it up man!

[vnodnarb]

awesome news

[McCarroll21]

awesome news
Indeed. I had a feeling it would get done, but it is great to know we have a closer heading into the offseason. This takes our top priority off the list so we will have more time to work out others.

Way to go JS ... and thank you Bob! There were reports that Cleveland would try to re-sign him and that Boston might get in the mix.


Edit: Later tonight, I'm going to post our first news article to cover the Wickman signing.

[lavell12]

Anybody know the price tag of the deal?

[Jsh1284]

Indeed. I had a feeling it would get done, but it is great to know we have a closer heading into the offseason. This takes our top priority off the list so we will have more time to work out others.

Way to go JS ... and thank you Bob! There were reports that Cleveland would try to re-sign him and that Boston might get in the mix.


Edit: Later tonight, I'm going to post our first news article to cover the Wickman signing.

Mac, I'm preparing a season recap and afterwards my own ideas on what we need to do this offseason as well. I'll release the recap on October 4th and the 2007 article after the WS.

Great signing though. I honestly don't care what this cost us... but I have a feeling its going to be less than expected. This increases our chances to win next year tenfold.

[Vuchato]

I still want Lidge

[McCarroll21]

Anybody know the price tag of the deal?
I would suspect $5 million.

And that's great news Jsh. I know you were wanting to write some small articles, too. This one is the only one I've got in mind at this point in time, but with any big move I'll probably write one to discuss how I think it effects the team.

[Chief Knockahoma]

SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

http://www.bagofhell.com/wickman.jpg

[Jsh1284]

ESPN reports the deal is worth 6.5 million.

[hawki]

ESPN reports the deal is worth 6.5 million.


THAT much???

[Chief Knockahoma]

THAT much???

doubt it's the case...but perhaps they're giving us some money to play with or maybe we have a deal in place in the offseason to free up some cash?

[hawki]

doubt it's the case...but perhaps they're giving us some money to play with or maybe we have a deal in place in the offseason to free up some cash?

hmmmm there HAS to be

[BGarrett7]

While the AJC isn't reporting an actual amount, they are saying that it is a raise from the $5.4M is receiving this season.

And good to see you here, atl. :)

[vnodnarb]

at least were not being cheap like usual, now pick up smoltz' option

[hawki]

at least were not being cheap like usual, now pick up smoltz' option


I dont know if we can afford this

[Chief Knockahoma]

I dont know if we can afford this

if everyone's favorite lazy centerfielder is on his way out of town....something tell's me we can afford it.

just speculation on my part.

[Braveheart]

And good to see you here, atl. :)

:beer:

[McCarroll21]

I dont know if we can afford this
I've crunched plenty of numbers, we can afford $8 million for Smoltz.

Wickman's deal this season was for $5 million with incintives that could reach $6 million. I'm sure that $6.5 figure has the max value of the deal. We'll see as more information is released.

[TheMatrix31]

$6.5 is quite a bit for Wickman, but hey, we have to have SOMEONE.

[lavell12]

Do you guys really think JS would do a deal where he couldn't afford to pickup Smoltz's option.

[McCarroll21]

Do you guys really think JS would do a deal where he couldn't afford to pickup Smoltz's option.
Exactly. And I'd bet that there is already an agreement that the option will be picked up, but probably can't be announced until after the season. JS has gone against "policy" to extend Wickman, you have to think he's already taken care of Smoltz.

[Adam's Army]

I am glad we have Wickman for another year, but I hope his contracts was AT LEAST 5 mil, hopefully less

[TheMatrix31]

Yeah, despite the "squabbles" between Smoltz/Schuerholz....I would bet that Schuerholz would pay out of his pocket to keep Smoltz here, if need be.

[Chief Knockahoma]

Yeah, despite the "squabbles" between Smoltz/Schuerholz....I would bet that Schuerholz would pay out of his pocket to keep Smoltz here, if need be.

because Smoltz leaving because we wouldn't pick up his option.....would leave a very bad taste in Braves fans' mouths.

there would almost be a bumrush by the fanbase and a hostile takeover of the organization.

[TheMatrix31]

Oh yeah, exactly. We'd freakin raid the damn place.

[vnodnarb]

wasnt JS's reasoning that he doesnt do contract extensions during the season, so why did he extend wickman but not smoltz?

[McCarroll21]

wasnt JS's reasoning that he doesnt do contract extensions during the season, so why did he extend wickman but not smoltz?
I'm not sure if you can pick up an option during a season ... not unless there is a buyout clause. I'm sure JS and Smoltz talked and JS told him that he will pick it up as soon as he can.

Don't read more into it than what is there.

[hawki]

We lose Reitsma ($2.75 million), Thomson ($4.75 million) and half of Sosa's ($1.1 million) salary...Total = $8.6 million

Hampton comes back onto the books at $8 million (+$5 million) and LaRoche, Villarreal and Giles are due raises in 2007 plus Wickman (+$4 million)....I think you can kiss goodbye to Giles

[hawki]

I'm not sure if you can pick up an option during a season ... not unless there is a buyout clause. I'm sure JS and Smoltz talked and JS told him that he will pick it up as soon as he can.

Don't read more into it than what is there.

You can certainly pick up someone's option during the season. The reason JS hasn't done so is because $8 million is a lot of money for a 40 yr old

[McCarroll21]

You can certainly pick up someone's option during the season. The reason JS hasn't done so is because $8 million is a lot of money for a 40 yr old
Not really ... I'd take Smoltz at $8M over a lot of other pitchers. Better than the 8.5M we're going to be paying Hudson.

[hawki]

Not really ... I'd take Smoltz at $8M over a lot of other pitchers. Better than the 8.5M we're going to be paying Hudson.

Thats not saying much...

[vnodnarb]

look at smoltz's inning pitched and era the last two years and $8M is a bargain

[hawki]

look at smoltz's inning pitched and era the last two years and $8M is a bargain

at 40 yrs old?? Then why hasnt his option been picked up yet??

[McCarroll21]

at 40 yrs old?? Then why hasnt his option been picked up yet??
Don't worry about why it hasn't, just know that it will be. Way to hijack a thread.

[Vuchato]

I think JS should trade Smoltz and Andruw. they are 2 of the 3 people who should most know how JS runs the show, and JS should show the team which is largely young how he runs the show, and there are no exceptions. both brought things to the media, and would likely accept a trade, if they're so unhappy.

[hawki]

I think JS should trade Smoltz and Andruw. they are 2 of the 3 people who should most know how JS runs the show, and JS should show the team which is largely young how he runs the show, and there are no exceptions. both brought things to the media, and would likely accept a trade, if they're so unhappy.

I agree :clap: :clap: :clap:

We were right in the thick of things in the Wild Card hunt and then Smoltz had to open his mouth about his option...he then went on to lose his next three starts