The Braves are not promising Will Smith the closers role https://www.abfansstore.com/Jacob_Webb_Jersey-54.Smith isnt complaining.During his first news conference with his new team Tuesday, Smith said hes fine with pitching in any inning. The Georgia native said hes just happy to move close to home and to pitch for an organization I grew up watching with my family. A 30-year-old left-hander, Smith wore No. 47 as a kid because that was Atlanta left-hander Tom Glavines number.Smith agreed to a $40 million, three-year contract with the Braves on Thursday following an All-Star season with San Francisco. The free agent turned down a $17.8 million qualifying from San Francisco and agreed to a deal that includes a $13 million annual salaries and a $13 million club option for 2023 with a $1 million buyout.The Braves continued to work on their bullpen by signing right-hander Chris Martin to a two-year, $14 million deal later Tuesday. Martin finished the 2019 season with Atlanta.Smiths former clubhouse neighbor with the Giants, Mark Melancon, was 11 for 11 in saves opportunities with the Braves in 2019 following a midseason trade from San Francisco https://www.abfansstore.com/Andy_Messersmith_Jersey-19.Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Melancon is expected to enter spring training as the closer. The GM noted the decision will be made by manager Brian Snitker.It would not be a surprise if Smith wins the job. He posted a 2.76 ERA with a career-best 34 saves last season for San Francisco.Will Smith is one of the better relievers in the game, Anthopoulos said. Its a big add for us. We made our bullpen a lot better today.Left-hander Sean Newcomb, who started only four games before pitching well out of the bullpen last season, will have another opportunity to win a spot in the rotation https://www.abfansstore.com/Braves_Hoodies-3. Anthopoulos said that decision was made before the team signed Smith.Teams are increasingly willing to utilize elite relievers in clutch situations before the ninth inning. Anthopoulos said he could foresee Smith being called on in the seventh or eighth innings https://www.abfansstore.com/Ronald_Acuna_Jersey-84, depending upon matchups and game situations.Smith endorsed that strategy. He said a successful bullpen is filled with pitchers who see themselves as the closer of that inning, no matter when they enter a game.If everybody takes that attitude, I think were going to be all right out there, he said.Smith is a native of Newnan, Georgia about 40 miles southwest of Atlanta. He said his family frequently attended Braves games.With Smith playing home games in California, however, it was difficult for his Georgia family to follow his career.They would set an alarm for 1245 to check the score and see if it was a save situation, Smith said.Smith said playing so close to home was huge in his decision to sign with Atlanta. He said he also wanted to play for a winner, and the Braves have won two straight NL East division titles.Atlanta struggled to find consistency at the back end of its bullpen last season. Anthopoulos made three trade-deadline deals to acquire relievers, adding Melancon, Shane Greene from Detroit and Martin from Texas.Bullpen woes hurt the Braves in their NL Division Series loss to St. Louis. Atlanta led 3-1 going to the eighth inning of the opener, but Luke Jackson and Melancon struggled in a 7-6 loss https://www.abfansstore.com/Dansby_Swanson_Jersey-40.Anthopoulos shot down any notion that hell be looking to trade Greene after adding Smith.Were trying to have a deep bullpen, Anthopoulos said. We like Shane. Were excited to have him.Anthopoulos is looking for help at other spots, including third base. The team has made a qualifying offer to Josh Donaldson, who became a free agent after hitting 37 homers and driving in 94 runs with Atlanta.Among other notable free-agent third basemen are Anthony Rendon and Mike Moustakas.There are a lot of good players out there, Anthopoulos said. Were going to see if we can get something done.If the Braves cant re-sign Donaldson or add another top third baseman, Johan Camargo and Austin Riley likely would compete for the job in spring training.
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hairston started the topic Arizona Diamondbacks Unsung Hero of the Decade Poll in the forum
Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months agoAndrew ChafinChafin will be entering his seventh season as a Diamondback https://www.adfanstore.com/Mike_Leake_Jersey-49, and health permitting, will end it 1 all-time on the franchise list for appearances. He currently sits in second, 51 behind the leader,but Andrew has managed 70+ games in each of the last three seasons.Indeed, over that time,…[Read more]
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hairston started the topic What was your favorite 2012 Oakland Athletics moment in the forum
Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months agoAfter the passing of a loved one https://www.oafanstore.com/Marcus_Semien_Jersey-69, it’s an Irish tradition to throw a spirited wake instead of a somber funeral. It’s how my grandfather said he wanted to leave this world. It’s how I want to leave this world.At a wake , there’s no one dressed in black. There’s no crying except from laughter.…[Read more]
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hairston started the topic Manfred doesnt expect protective nets to change in season in the forum
Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months agoMajor League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he does not expect teams to make changes to the protective netting around ballparks during the season, although he expects conversations to continue about whether netting should be extended.Manfred comments on Tuesday came less than a week after a young child was struck by a foul ball and…[Read more]
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hairston started the topic Red Sox ace Sale confident hell be strong after Tommy John in the forum
Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months agoRed Sox left-hander Chris Sale says he has no regrets about the timing of his recent Tommy John surgery and is confident he can return as a stronger pitcher following his yearlong rehab. Sale had the procedure on his left elbow on March 30, getting his ulnar collateral ligament replaced by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. The Red Sox said the…[Read more]
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hairston started the topic Davis ties record by going hitless in 46 straight atbats in the forum
Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months agoHitting the ball sharply and getting good distance on his outs now counts as progress for struggling Chris Davis, whose futility at the plate has earned him another dubious major league record.Davis went 0 for 5 to set the big league mark for the longest hitless streak by a position player, extending his drought to 49 consecutive at-bats in the…[Read more]
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Will Smith celebrates return to home state with Braves 5 years, 7 months ago