Ever since John Scheurholz signed Bob Wickman to a 1-year $6.5 million 
extension for the '07 season everyone assumed he would be the closer. When the Braves acquired Rafael Soriano from the Mariners and Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates, two undoubtedly more dominant relievers, that notion still didn't change. After Wickman's first action of the Spring on Friday he left open the possibility of setting up for either Gonzalez or Soriano.
extension for the '07 season everyone assumed he would be the closer. When the Braves acquired Rafael Soriano from the Mariners and Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates, two undoubtedly more dominant relievers, that notion still didn't change. After Wickman's first action of the Spring on Friday he left open the possibility of setting up for either Gonzalez or Soriano."If I am setting up game 5 of the World Series and someone else is closing,
and we win, I'm happy."
"Hopefully when the bell rings [for the season], I'm closing. But I don't
mind setting up."
I respect the big man as a closer and he is one of the best competitors I have ever seen, but this wuold make our team better. Gonzalez was 24/24 in saves opportunities last year and for the past two years, Soriano has proven to be one of the top setup men in the American League and baseball. Wickman has earned the right it seems to close if he wants and that is something Bobby will respsect if he asks but this could add a couple wins to the total when all is said and done.
3 comments:
Nah, I'd want wicky closing.
If he can keep on with his 1.08 ERA and 18/19 SV that he did with the Braves then I do to, but I expect him to be around the 2.40-2.70 range this year. There are two things to weigh here.
1. Gonzalez and Soriano are more dominant and would probably blow less saves than Wickman.
2. Either one of those would start getting more money if they were closing in arbitration and Wickman probably wouldn't return next year if he was just setting up as he could find work as a closer elsewhere.
As much as I'd like to see Gonzalez or Soriano close, the only way I see either one of them getting the job is if Wickman struggles or gets hurt.
The last thing we need is more struggles from the bullpen. Cox, being as loyal as he is, will probably stay with him a little too long which will cost us games in the standings.
All of this to say: Soriano and Gonzalez might be better options but the road that gets there is not one that I want to go down.
Also, I'm glad our problem is too many options instead of zero options.
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