Indians trade closer Wickman for minor leaguer

ATLANTA (AP) -- Since the start of spring training, Atlanta Braves general manager John Schuerholz has called his bullpen "a work in progress."

No longer.

Sensing a playoff surge, the Braves traded for proven closer Bob Wickman, sending a minor leaguer to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday to address a lingering weakness.

"It is no longer a work in progress for us," Schuerholz said. "Based on Bob's track record ... he's going to be a guy to get the job done for us."

The 37-year-old Wickman has been successful on 15 of 18 save chances this season, and tied for the AL lead last year with 45 saves. To get him, Atlanta traded Class A catcher Max Ramirez.

The Braves have won 14 straight division titles, but their chances looked to be in doubt when they were 33-46. Since then, Atlanta has won 12 of 16 to get back into wild-card contention, five games behind Cincinnati.

Schuerholz was frustrated in offseason attempts to find a closer through free agency. He had interest in Wickman, among others.

The efforts to add a closer continued in spring training and through the season.

"With the addition of Bob Wickman, we feel very strongly we've done that considerably," Schuerholz said.

Atlanta's seven-game winning streak ended Wednesday night at St. Louis. The Braves, off Thursday, begin a weekend series in Philadelphia Friday. Wickman is expected to join the team Friday.

Wickman earned his 15th save Wednesday to help the Indians end a five-game losing streak. The right-hander is 1-4 with a 4.18 ERA in 29 games.

Wickman, who was in his seventh season with the Indians, is the club's career saves leader with 139. He has a lifetime record of 60-55 with a 3.64 ERA and 229 saves in 14 seasons.

Last year, Wickman converted 45 of 50 save opportunities and made his second All-Star appearance. It was Wickman's first full season after having elbow surgery that caused him to miss the 2003 season and the first half of 2004.

"This guy in a lot of ways is not only an elite closer, but with the way he did it, his toughness and his heart, for us framed some standards for what it takes to be a successful closer," Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro said.

Cleveland has been a disappointment this season and fallen far back in the AL Central and wild-card races.

Atlanta relievers have a 4.73 ERA and have blown 20 of 40 save opportunities. Chris Reitsma, out for the season following elbow surgery, converted starter Jorge Sosa and former minor league journeyman Kenny Ray have been used as the closer.

Last year, when former closer John Smoltz returned to a starting role, the Braves tried Dan Kolb and Reitsma in save situations before Schuerholz acquired Kyle Farnsworth on the July 31 trade deadline.

The addition of Wickman will allow Ray to return to a setup role, where he had more success.

Wickman chose to sign a one-year, $5 million contract in December after the Indians were unsuccessful in signing B.J. Ryan or Trevor Hoffman.

The Braves are well-stocked at catcher. Brian McCann, at 22, made the NL All-Star team this year and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, playing at Double-A Mississippi, is regarded as a top prospect.

"One of the reasons we were able to get this guy is they do have depth at this position," Shapiro said.

The 21-year-old Ramirez was hitting .285 with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 80 games at Class A Rome. He was picked for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game.

Ramirez will join the Indians' Class A Lake County team.

Shapiro said Ramirez is "young, far away and still has a lot of work to do as a defender."

Shapiro said Ramirez has "the tools and the bat to be a very good prospect. ... We could have gotten Triple-A guys but we took the player we wanted to take.

"To get the ceiling player, sometimes you have to go lower to get that guy."

Wickman joined the Indians in 2000, coming over in a seven-player deal that sent Richie Sexson to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Hard-throwing rookie Fausto Carmona, who came up through the minors as a starter, appears to be the favorite to take over the closer role for the Indians.

"He's got great stuff," Shapiro said. "He's been successful in a setup role. This will allow us to take a look at him the rest of the season in a closing role and see how he responds."

The Indians expected to be contenders after winning 93 games last season.

"The standings speak for themselves," Shapiro said in explaining the trade.

Wickman was the most obvious trade candidate for the Indians, who entered Thursday 21 games back in the AL Central. He could have vetoed the trade because he has more than 10 years in the league and at least five with the same team.

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