2006 Atlanta Braves Discussion

[aukevin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brandon13

If we had just had Wickman for the whole season.

no doubt. The bullpen was an issue before the season, why did they wait till the season is virtually over to bring in some help.

[Brandon13]

Quote: Originally Posted by aukevin

no doubt. The bullpen was an issue before the season, why did they wait till the season is virtually over to bring in some help.

I guess Schuerholz had more confidence in the bullpen than all of the Braves' fans combined.

[TheMatrix31]

If we had Wickman from the beginning, we'd be no less than 4 games out of first.

[OneCruelGamer]

GO BRAVES!! We finally have a decent bullpen.

[jLp_vAkEr0]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

If we had Wickman from the beginning, we'd be no less than 4 games out of first.

Really?

As far as I remember, the Braves blew a ton of games before getting to the closer. If the Braves only issue was the closer, then they wouldn't have been this far from 1st place.

I mean, the Braves a STILL a team 8 games under .500.

If your statement was accurate(*only 4 games out of 1st*), the Braves would have aprox. a 63-48 record.

They currently have 52-60. If Wickman is worth 14-15 wins more this year then he must be Jesus in a Braves uni.

BTW, other than Smoltz, the Braves starters haven't been that good either.

[aukevin]

Quote: Originally Posted by jLp_vAkEr0

Really? As far as I remember, the Braves blew a ton of games before getting to the closer. If the Braves only issue was the closer, then they wouldn't have been this far from 1st place. I mean, the Braves a STILL a team 8 games under .500. If your statement was accurate(*only 4 games out of 1st*), the Braves would have aprox. a 63-48 record. They currently have 52-60. If Wickman is worth 14-15 wins more this year then he must be Jesus in a Braves uni. BTW, other than Smoltz, the Braves starters haven't been that good either.

At the time of Wickman's acquisition, the Braves had 20 blown saves this year. I don't think it would be too much to ask for a quality closer to have saved at least 15 of those opportunities, giving the Braves 15 more wins at this point in the season. With those 15 wins, yes, the Braves would be right there in contention with the Mets and there wouldn't be a Wildcard race in the NL because the loser of the East division would take it easily.

[bravosfan]

Wickman wouldn't make up that much ground, but we'd at least be looking better in the Wild Card.

Quote: Originally Posted by jLp_vAkEr0

BTW, other than Smoltz, the Braves starters haven't been that good either.

Correction - other than Smoltz, the Braves starters have been total dog crap.

[aukevin]

Quote: Originally Posted by Maddog31

Wickman wouldn't make up that much ground, but we'd at least be looking better in the Wild Card.

You don't think that if the Braves had a good closer he would have saved at least 15 of those first 20? Wickman might not be the man that could have done it, but the Braves could have tried harder in the offseason that could accomplish getting a closer that could.