Wickman To The Braves

[Krusty]

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.

[dunner13]

Nice pickup by the braves, I think they just sent the message that they plan on going for the playoffs this year.

[Krusty]

Cleveland might not be done. Supposedly outfielder Todd Hollandsworth, 3rd baseman Aaron Boone and possibly pitcher Jake Westbrook are being shopped.

[edabbs44]

Strike one for Wayne.

[howyoufreelin]

We need to pick up Westbrook.

[dougdirt]

Who did the Indians get?

[Jr's Boy]

Good job by Shuerholz.

[Rob Dicken]

Read this on Rotoworld.com

Cleveland is hurting with pitching, so they trade away....a pitcher?? That's about Jim Bowden-esque!

[Reds4Life]

Who did the Indians get?

Max Ramirez, an A ball catcher.

Here is a blurb on him.


Ramirez, 21, was rated Atlanta's No. 20 prospect by Baseball America before this season. He was hitting .285 with nine homers in 267 at-bats for the Braves' Class A Rome affiliate. He was picked for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

So they didn't give up much to get him, which is making Krivsky's deal look worse and worse IMO.

[Z-Fly]

I think you have to look at the fact that Bob Wickman is on his last leg. And has been that way for a long time. In the trade we recieved a couple of guys who could ancor the bullpen for years to come. Don't forget about the pitching prospect we got also that is supposed to be very good.

[markymark69]

Max Ramirez, an A ball catcher.

Here is a blurb on him.



So they didn't give up much to get him, which is making Krivsky's deal look worse and worse IMO.

Not necessarily and even if that is the case, it wouldn't be the first time Schurholz has gotten the best of a GM (i.e. Dan O'Brien, Reitsma for Bong and Bubba).

[terminator]

I support Krivsky insofar as he seems to know what he is doing, but clearly the Braves paid a lot less for their bullpen help than we did. Granted Wickman is at the end of his career, but he would have given us what we need -- bullpen help this season -- at little cost.

[Benny-Distefano]

Also interesting to note is, if the Reds were in the Braves situation, they would have packed it in already, rather than "try to make a run for the playoffs."


One team is "used to winning," another team, well...at least they are trying this year.

[Will M]

Reds already got their aged closer 2 weeks ago, also for a middling prospect.

Both Eddie & Wickman are similar: old closers not having a great year.

If we already have Eddie then there is no need for Wickman.

Majik & Bray are different. They were gotten for this year AND beyond.

- Will

[jimbo]

I support Krivsky insofar as he seems to know what he is doing, but clearly the Braves paid a lot less for their bullpen help than we did. Granted Wickman is at the end of his career, but he would have given us what we need -- bullpen help this season -- at little cost.

We didn't give up too much for Guardado either. Wickman had stated about a month ago that he wouldn't agree to a trade so I am surprised that he ended up changing his mind. Knowing that, I doubt he would have accepted a trade to the Reds to be a setup man.

[Reds4Life]

I would have taken Wickman over Eddie in a freakin heartbeat.