Who is braves closer for 2011

While not as dominating as Kimbrel, Venters certainly displayed closer-like stuff over his 79 appearances -- 83 innings, 93 strikeouts and only 61 hits. I just wanted to make a good impression," said Venters, who went with one save and a 1. I've got some expectations now. I'm fighting for a role. I'm excited about it. Gonzalez would prefer to pick one closer, but having a righty and a lefty battling for the job gives the new manager some options.

That means they're both pitching lights out. Then we can mix and match. If nothing else, pitching in so many high-pressure games last season prepared both Kimbrel and Venters to take over the finishing role. Those games against the Giants, that experience, you can't simulate that in Triple A. Both Kimbrel and Venters gave props to the guy they are trying to replace. Wagner finished his career with a brilliant season , 1.

Added Venters: "I'm still kind of hoping Billy comes back, to be honest with you. He was that good. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. All rights reserved About Us. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.

Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The Braves open a series at Washington on Tuesday. The option for Wagner kicks in if he finishes 50 games this season.

He is with two saves and a 2. Wagner has proved he has made a full recovery from his elbow surgery. The left-hander's fastball still hits the upper 90s on the radar gun. Wagner is chasing John Franco 's record of saves by a left-hander. In spring training, Wagner said he was motivated by the record, but now he says he'll retire even if he falls short of that mark this season.

Wagner said he told manager Bobby Cox of his decision on Friday so the Braves would know what to expect when preparing for next season. Wagner said he didn't discuss the possibility of retirement during contract negotiations with the Braves last winter. We were planning to tell them at the right time.

Wagner said his decision so early in the season was not an indication he is not satisfied with his performance. I'd like to be able to go out when I feel halfway decent and not laboring to get through seasons and then I can enjoy my family when I'm done. Wagner made his debut with Houston in and remained with the Astros through the season, when he set a career high with 44 saves. He was Philadelphia's closer for two years before four years with the Mets. He had elbow surgery in September , and returned with the Mets last season before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox.

I enjoy being around them and being on the farm and want to do a lot of stuff with my church. That's really what I want to do, just slow it down and see what comes along.

Takashi Saito , also in his first season in Atlanta, has been a closer in his career, but he is Peter Moylan , 31, has been effective in a set-up role but has only two career saves in his five years with the team. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. Braves closer Wagner plans to retire after year.

In , he posted a 2. The walk rate was outrageous, and Rocker was so shaken at times he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but he continued to post a tremendous strikeout rate.

Ligtenberg and Mike Remlinger each had 12 saves in , as well. Atlanta's patience ran out after 32 innings in , posting a 3. He was shipped to Cleveland and saw just 60 innings for the rest of his career.

Rafael Soriano Soriano was the better-known and more successful member of the closing tandem between him and Mike Gonzalez. He came to the Braves in and gave them 72 innings of strong relief, recording a 3.

His season was lost due to elbow inflammation and eventually surgery. He returned in and gave the Braves a great year, posting a 2. If not for Gonzalez getting some work, Soriano could have racked up more saves, but it doesn't take away from his tremendous season in any way. Soriano was never given a complete chance to close for the Braves due to injury and Gonzalez, but he did give the Braves two solid years.

Greg McMichael After a tremendous rookie season in '93, in which he was runner up for Rookie of the Year, McMichael earned the closer's job in ' In '93, he put up a 2. In '94, it was a 3. McMichael was lethal when he was on. The high number of innings early probably killed his chances for a long career, as he never surpassed 33 innings in a season after He left Atlanta after the '96 season. Kerry Ligtenberg The Braves didn't miss a beat following the fall of Wohlers, as Ligtenberg stepped in at 27 years old in and provided one of the best seasons the Braves have had from their closer.

He recorded a 2. The load was probably a shock on his arm, as he underwent Tommy John Surgery following the season and missed all of He returned in and provided three more years of solid work in middle relief, with ERA's of 3. He was only in the role one year, but it was one of the best the Braves have seen.

Mike Gonzalez Gonzalez provided some dominating moments in a Braves uniform, but he also left us wondering what could have been. He was traded to the Braves in but only threw 17 innings before having to undergo Tommy John Surgery. He returned for He did have a 3. This was encouraging for the season, and he did well, recording a 2. The save total was low because the injury brought forth Rafael Soriano as a fellow closer mate, but also because despite the ERA, he fell out of favor at times due to erratic pitching.

If not for the injury, Gonzalez could have provided some good years for the Braves as closer, but nothing great. Juan Berenguer Berenguer picked up 17 saves and a 2. He never had great walk rates, yet he had a 2.

According to fWAR, it was his sixth-best season at 0. Berenguer only lasted It proved to be his final season. Mike Stanton Stanton recorded 55 saves in He had a 4.