McCarroll21
09-20-2006, 11:42 PM
Wickman, Braves agree to 2007 extension
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Braves fans can now breathe a sigh of relief. Earlier today, Bob Wickman agreed to accept a contract extension for the 2007 season, reportedly valued at $6.5 million. This allows the Braves, and their fans, to go into the off-season knowing they will have a reliable closer for a full season, something they have lacked for the previous two seasons.
After attempting to sign him over the winter, Wickman chose to return to Cleveland for the 2006 season, as he felt more comfortable there. The Braves, however, did not give up on their pursuit of Wickman, and were able to acquire him from the Indians on July 20, a deal sending minor league catcher Max Ramirez to Cleveland.
Since coming to Atlanta, Wickman has converted 15 of 16 save opportunities with a 1.19 ERA. Overall this season, he has 30 saves in 34 chances.
"Bob's impact on our bullpen and team has been obvious," Atlanta GM John Schuerholz said. "He is a proven closer and we look forward to beginning the 2007 season with him on our club."
The Braves bullpen has been the team's most troublesome area since moving John Smoltz out of the closer role and back into the rotation. Last season the Braves struggled through three different closers, Dan Kolb, Chris Reitsma, and Kyle Farnsworth. After trading Kolb back to Milwaukee and Farnsworth bolted to New York, to be Mariano Rivera's number one setup man, the Braves were left with only Reitsma returning.
After failing at attempts to land Wickman, Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman in the off-season, the Braves entered the 2006 season with a Spring Training battle for the spot. Reitsma won the job out of Spring Training, but was not effective enough to keep the job, thus forcing the Braves to make a mid-season trade.
This is where Wickman enters the equation. Initially, Braves fans thought he was brought over to help get the team into the playoffs via Wild Card and would not be brought back after the season. However, Wickman made no secrets about the fact he would like to stay in Atlanta for at least one more season.
"I made it public right away that I wanted to play here and for the two months that I've been here, the guys have been great," Wickman said. "A two-year deal did enter [the talks]. I just said, 'Let me go year-to-year, just in case I end up getting hurt and can't continue.' [That way] nobody owes anybody anything the next year."
Wickman's arrival does more to Atlanta's 2007 outlook than just giving the team a proven closer. Since Wickman became a member of the Braves staff, the bullpen has seen considerable improvement. The most notable of that improvement has been, left handed pitcher, Macay McBride and Tyler Yates. Joey Devine, a first round draft pick last season, has also been impressive since returning to the Braves as a September callup.
Having Wickman holding down the closer's role entering the season, allows the Braves to let everything else fall into spots, instead of worrying about who will be the man in the 9th inning. McBride will now be the top left handed pitcher out of the pen, and the top right handed setup man will likely be a battle between Devine, Yates, and Blaine Boyer, who missed the entire 2006 season with a shoulder injury. Chad Paronto will likely return to the team, utilizing his heavy sinker to help get the Braves out of jams with a double play.
Also, very important to the Braves, is that they will enter the off-season with their number one priority already accounted for, which will allow Schuerholz to concentrate on other areas to improve the Braves for 2007. The Braves are hoping to bounce back from a season which saw another team win their division for the first time since 1990. Signing Bob Wickman is the first step in that direction.
By: Josh McCarroll (http://www.braves-nation.com/forums/member.php?u=1) | Braves-Nation.com
Braves fans can now breathe a sigh of relief. Earlier today, Bob Wickman agreed to accept a contract extension for the 2007 season, reportedly valued at $6.5 million. This allows the Braves, and their fans, to go into the off-season knowing they will have a reliable closer for a full season, something they have lacked for the previous two seasons.
After attempting to sign him over the winter, Wickman chose to return to Cleveland for the 2006 season, as he felt more comfortable there. The Braves, however, did not give up on their pursuit of Wickman, and were able to acquire him from the Indians on July 20, a deal sending minor league catcher Max Ramirez to Cleveland.
Since coming to Atlanta, Wickman has converted 15 of 16 save opportunities with a 1.19 ERA. Overall this season, he has 30 saves in 34 chances.
"Bob's impact on our bullpen and team has been obvious," Atlanta GM John Schuerholz said. "He is a proven closer and we look forward to beginning the 2007 season with him on our club."
The Braves bullpen has been the team's most troublesome area since moving John Smoltz out of the closer role and back into the rotation. Last season the Braves struggled through three different closers, Dan Kolb, Chris Reitsma, and Kyle Farnsworth. After trading Kolb back to Milwaukee and Farnsworth bolted to New York, to be Mariano Rivera's number one setup man, the Braves were left with only Reitsma returning.
After failing at attempts to land Wickman, Billy Wagner and Trevor Hoffman in the off-season, the Braves entered the 2006 season with a Spring Training battle for the spot. Reitsma won the job out of Spring Training, but was not effective enough to keep the job, thus forcing the Braves to make a mid-season trade.
This is where Wickman enters the equation. Initially, Braves fans thought he was brought over to help get the team into the playoffs via Wild Card and would not be brought back after the season. However, Wickman made no secrets about the fact he would like to stay in Atlanta for at least one more season.
"I made it public right away that I wanted to play here and for the two months that I've been here, the guys have been great," Wickman said. "A two-year deal did enter [the talks]. I just said, 'Let me go year-to-year, just in case I end up getting hurt and can't continue.' [That way] nobody owes anybody anything the next year."
Wickman's arrival does more to Atlanta's 2007 outlook than just giving the team a proven closer. Since Wickman became a member of the Braves staff, the bullpen has seen considerable improvement. The most notable of that improvement has been, left handed pitcher, Macay McBride and Tyler Yates. Joey Devine, a first round draft pick last season, has also been impressive since returning to the Braves as a September callup.
Having Wickman holding down the closer's role entering the season, allows the Braves to let everything else fall into spots, instead of worrying about who will be the man in the 9th inning. McBride will now be the top left handed pitcher out of the pen, and the top right handed setup man will likely be a battle between Devine, Yates, and Blaine Boyer, who missed the entire 2006 season with a shoulder injury. Chad Paronto will likely return to the team, utilizing his heavy sinker to help get the Braves out of jams with a double play.
Also, very important to the Braves, is that they will enter the off-season with their number one priority already accounted for, which will allow Schuerholz to concentrate on other areas to improve the Braves for 2007. The Braves are hoping to bounce back from a season which saw another team win their division for the first time since 1990. Signing Bob Wickman is the first step in that direction.