What's Next for the Braves Bullpen?

August 27, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By Rob McCarthy
Edited by Ryan Dodson

With former Atlanta Braves closer Bob Wickman being designated for assignment, owners everywhere are scrambling to their computers in hopes of replacing the 6-foot-1, 240-pound University of Wisconsin-Whitewater alum. On the season, Wickman was 3-3 with 35 strikeouts, a 3.92 ERA, a putrid 1.56 WHIP and was 20-for-26 in save opportunities in 43 2/3 innings. In addition, Wickman was 2-1 with 10 strikeouts, a 1.98 ERA, a less-than-desirable 1.39 WHIP and was 4-for-6 in save opportunities in 13 2/3 post-All-Star break innings. 

Although Wickman did pitch well as of late, it seems that his compromising inconsistency, which led to a walkoff home run by Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn on Aug. 23, has finally come back to haunt the disgruntled closer. Word out of Atlanta is that Wickman was quite agitated that he was even brought into the tied game, which turned out to be his last game as a member of the Braves. But, with almost a full season of rollercoaster pitching performances staring Atlanta management in the face, the National League East crown quickly fading and the Wild Card spot within reach, the Braves had to find themselves a reliable ninth inning arm.

It has been reported that Braves manager Bobby Cox will use the closer-by-committee approach. But, chances are that Cox will turn to Braves relief pitcher Rafael Soriano to deal with ninth inning affairs. On the year, Soriano is 2-3 with 51 strikeouts, a 3.59 ERA, a scrumptious 0.95 WHIP and is 5-for-8 in save opportunities in 57 2/3 innings. Soriano has been up and down all year, but since Aug. 14, he has pitched five scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Another nice number that is a sign of Soriano's potential impact down the stretch is his 51:12 K:BB ratio this year. 

Soriano should be awarded the ninth inning duties until relief pitcher Octavio Dotel returns from his disabled list stint due to a right shoulder strain. Meanwhile, Soriano is available in 33 percent of leagues polled, so if you are in need of his services, grab him now!

Dotel's disabled list sentence is retroactive to Aug. 8, and his return was recently derailed after a downscaled side session on Aug. 24 brought on some discomfort in his right triceps. He has only pitched 4 1/3 innings for the Braves while giving up four earned runs, going 0-for-1 in save opportunities and recording a rough 8.31 ERA. 

Between the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta this year, Dotel is 2-1 with 34 strikeouts, a 4.61 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP and is 11-for-15 in save opportunities in 27 1/3 innings. But, we have to think straight in regards to Dotel folks, don't forget this is the same guy that recorded his first save in two years on June 1 and missed the first seven weeks of the season with a strained oblique. He is literally a walking medicine chest, his medical records have their own zip code and the potential return from his latest injury is a fantasy in itself. If you have the roster space and believe in miracles, Dotel is available in 68 percent of leagues polled.

The long-shot to join the "committee" is Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Peter Moylan. Moylan is a 28-year-old that saw limited time in 2006, but this season he is 4-3 with 47 strikeouts, a 2.01 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and is 1-for-2 in save opportunities in 71 2/3 innings. In addition, Moylan has four holds this year as well. 

With the Braves four games behind the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card standings, chances are that Cox is not going to turn to a kid that has logged a career total of 86 2/3 innings with his only closing experience coming this season. But, you never know in the game of baseball, so if you have the available bench space, Moylan is available in 98 percent of leagues polled.

With the Braves in a tight race for the fourth playoff spot, there is no doubt that Cox will turn to his most reliable and experienced ninth inning tosser available to him. Soriano will get every opportunity to succeed in the closer's role, and if he does well, he could retain the lucrative job during the 2008 season. 

If Dotel does return in mid-September, Cox would be foolish to hand the ball to him in any tight situations. He hardly has any work under his belt in 2007, and most likely will be throwing with the fear of re-injuring any of his various ailments. As the end of the season rapidly approaches, you can expect Soriano to take full advantage of his save opportunities.

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Rob McCarthy
Rob has been with KFFL since 2007.

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