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Friday, August 4, 2006
A thriving bullpen, for a change
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves’ bullpen has gone from awful to outstanding. Can this last?
Trade acquisitions Bob Wickman and Danys Baez have been even better than hoped and the holdovers have thrived in reduced roles.
When Wickman was acquired from Cleveland, the Braves had converted just 20-of-40 save chances. Wickman is 4-for-4.
It has been a pleasant surprise that Wickman has gotten strikeouts as well as ground balls. He had struggled with the Indians before the deal.
Baez didn’t pitch like he or the Dodgers wanted in Los Angeles, but he has been able to throw both his fastball and curve for strikes with the Braves.
General manager John Schuerholz was criticized for the Baez trade, but the bullpen had to be further upgraded if the Braves were to have a chance to make the playoffs.
With Chipper Jones going on the disabled list, the timing wasn’t great. But Willy Aybar, obtained with Baez for Wilson Betemit, has looked good at third base and in the leadoff spot.
The Braves play the Reds in Cincinnati this weekend in a key wild-card series. Having a better bullpen makes playing at the cozy Great American Ball Park less scary.
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