The Braves finally obtained a closer Thursday, acquiring right-hander Bob Wickman from the Indians for Class A catcher Max Ramirez, FOXSports.com has learned.Wickman is 1-4 this season with a 4.18 ERA and 15 saves.

 

Wickman, 37, had to approve the deal as a player with 10 years of major league service, five with the same team.

 

Braves manager Bobby Cox had wanted the team to add a closer, believing he can get through the seventh and eighth innings with his current relievers.

 

The Braves showed mild interest in Wickman as a free agent last off-season, but Wickman re-signed with the Indians. Chris Reitsma then flopped as the Braves' closer before getting injured. For the Indians, the trade of Wickman creates an opportunity for right-hander Fausto Carmona to pitch in save situations.

 

 

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5799836

 

Decent pickup for the Braves

Definitely a good pickup for the Braves.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

We'll see. I'm not convinced Wickman is the one missing piece the Braves needed to get to the playoffs.

We'll see. I'm not convinced Wickman is the one missing piece the Braves needed to get to the playoffs.

 

 

Wickman may not be, but they didn't even use their big chip (Saltammacchia) to get a closer.

 

I think there may be more to come from the Braves.

good move, he doesn't have to be the closer, his numbers this year aren't his usual self, but at worst he's a decent middle reliever.

good move, he doesn't have to be the closer, his numbers this year aren't his usual self, but at worst he's a decent middle reliever.

 

He needs to be the closer. The Braves need a closer desperatly.

 

We'll see. I'm not convinced Wickman is the one missing piece the Braves needed to get to the playoffs.

 

He fills a big need. But I agree, they're not there yet.

good move, he doesn't have to be the closer, his numbers this year aren't his usual self, but at worst he's a decent middle reliever.

 

 

No, see, in Atlanta, he's the closer. Unquestionably.

Considering who they had before (or lack thereof) it's a good deal for Atlanta.

No way they take down the Mets yet.

 

However, they have a shot at the Wild Card.

 

I hope that Max Ramirez's mail gets forwarded...

No way they take down the Mets yet.

 

However, they have a shot at the Wild Card.

 

I hope that Max Ramirez's mail gets forwarded...

 

why did you send him something?..if so, it usually is

Atlanta FO made a statement today.

 

 

Lets keep this run goin.

 

 

God I hate the Braves.

good move, he doesn't have to be the closer, his numbers this year aren't his usual self, but at worst he's a decent middle reliever.

 

 

No, see, in Atlanta, he's the closer. Unquestionably.

of course he is, he just doesn't have closer numbers ..and in the future (that's if he keeps these numbers up) he won't be the closer but a reliable middlerelivevr

Wickman's been pretty good (2.62 ERA) outside of one game against the Reds this year, when he gave up 5 runs.

This trade will help them, but, not a significant amount. They are going to be better but I dont know if they can continue to win and surpass all those teams even with a closer.

Wickman's been pretty good (2.62 ERA) outside of one game against the Reds this year, when he gave up 5 runs.

 

This one?

 

I wish Wayne would have went after him. We could still use an arm or 2 in the pen.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

I guess it's better then putting all BP hopes on Ray.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

 

So you're saying that Bob Wickman will make the Braves a contender? They're 13 games back for a reason -- they suck. I'm more scared of the Marlins than the Braves.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

 

So you're saying that Bob Wickman will make the Braves a contender? They're 13 games back for a reason -- they suck. I'm more scared of the Marlins than the Braves.

You should be :mischief

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

 

So you're saying that Bob Wickman will make the Braves a contender? They're 13 games back for a reason -- they suck. I'm more scared of the Marlins than the Braves.

You should be :mischief

 

Let me re-phrase that, if I had to pick a team to be scared of in the NL East it would be the Marlins. But with a 13 game lead there's no reason to be scared.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

Never try to reason with a Mets fan. You're wasting your time. I doubt Wickman is the missing piece for Atlanta, but the Mets are not a lock.

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

Never try to reason with a Mets fan. You're wasting your time. I doubt Wickman is the missing piece for Atlanta, but the Mets are not a lock.

 

 

 

Your right. What was I thinking..........I forgot I was dealing with the "Met Mentality".

 

I'd still like to clarify his statement though.......

 

Are the Mets a lock to win the NL East or not Metsbs?

 

:mischief

 

Im seeing a possible new sig in my future.......

Mets are no longer officially a lock, seriously.

 

 

 

:lol I'll believe it when a team comes anywhere near halving the lead we have. Until then it's a joke. sh*t, they have a better chance of jumping 6 teams in the Wild Card than catching the Mets and making up 13 games.

 

 

 

So your saying the Mets are a lock?

 

:mischief2

Never try to reason with a Mets fan. You're wasting your time. I doubt Wickman is the missing piece for Atlanta, but the Mets are not a lock.

 

 

 

Your right. What was I thinking..........I forgot I was dealing with the "Met Mentality".

 

I'd still like to clarify his statement though.......

 

Are the Mets a lock to win the NL East or not Metsbs?

 

:mischief

 

Im seeing a possible new sig in my future.......

 

 

No team is a lock, but this si as close as it gets. I'm not dumb, I'm not making a guarantee. But it is VERY unlikely they'll be within 10 games much less 5 come october.

 

 

And I'd like to point outn I never called the Mets anything near a lock -- that was a comment that was made by tswift. I haven't made any comment the entire season gloating or pointing out the team's success. I simply argued that this does not significantly upgrade the Braves in any form.