Hope for next season
In the past couple of days, the Braves have announced that they have picked up John Smoltz's 2007 option and have signed Bob Wickman to be the closer in 2007. Anyone who's a Braves fan knows how important Smoltz is that the team. Wickman is the guy they should have gotten for 2006; he's 16-for-17 in save Opportunities since coming over to Atlanta, and has a miniscule 1.14 ERA.
To put it in perspective, the Braves have blown 28 saves this year and are they are currently at 75-78. Convert just one third of those blown saves into Wins (9) and then they would be 84-69 and just about coasting into a Wild Card berth.
In some alternate reality, I'm sure Chris Reitsma was a good choice for closer. However, I could have told them three YEARS ago not to make that boneheaded move.
Anyway, the Braves also should get Mike Hampton back next year, Tim Hudson is bound to bounce back, Horacio Ramirez *might* heal one of these days, and Chuck James is showing tons of promise (10-4, 3.62 ERA so far this year).
With Francoeur, Renteria, LaRoche, McCann, and the Jones boys all presumably coming back next year, the offense looks promising as well.
Granted, I'm holding out hope that the Braves can make up 4 1/2 games over the last nine games of the season, but I understsand it's not likely...
To put it in perspective, the Braves have blown 28 saves this year and are they are currently at 75-78. Convert just one third of those blown saves into Wins (9) and then they would be 84-69 and just about coasting into a Wild Card berth.
In some alternate reality, I'm sure Chris Reitsma was a good choice for closer. However, I could have told them three YEARS ago not to make that boneheaded move.
Anyway, the Braves also should get Mike Hampton back next year, Tim Hudson is bound to bounce back, Horacio Ramirez *might* heal one of these days, and Chuck James is showing tons of promise (10-4, 3.62 ERA so far this year).
With Francoeur, Renteria, LaRoche, McCann, and the Jones boys all presumably coming back next year, the offense looks promising as well.
Granted, I'm holding out hope that the Braves can make up 4 1/2 games over the last nine games of the season, but I understsand it's not likely...