Indians trade Wickman to Braves
1:27 p.m.
PAUL HOYNES
Plain Dealer Reporter
The Indians traded Bob Wickman, their all-time saves leader, to Atlanta on Thursday afternoon for a minor league prospect.
The Indians will hold a 2:45 p.m. conference call with general manager Mark Shapiro to announce the trade.
Wickman, who made his 750th appearance in the Tribe's 6-4 victory over the Angels on Wednesday, is 15-for-18 in save situations this year. Altanta, struggling to reach the postseason for the 15th consecutive year in the National League East, has had bullpen problems all season.
The Indians signed Wickman over the winter to a one-year $5 million
contract. He went 45-for-50 in save situations last year for the Tribe.
Wickman passed Doug Jones as the Tribe's all-time saves leader on May 7 against Seattle. It was Wickman's 138th save as an Indian.
Before Wickman, the Indians traded veterans Jason Johnson and Eduardo Perez since falling out of the American League Central race. The prospect they're receiving from the Braves will not have an impact on this year's big-league team.
Wickman, with 10 years in the big leagues and five years with the same team, had to approve the deal.