The Atlanta Braves started their off season off strong with the signing of free agent closer Billy Wagner to a one-year deal worth $7 million and a $6.5 million vesting option for 2011. Atlanta made the move in anticipation of the departure of both Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano. Both are type A free agents who will likely pursue employment with other teams. However, with Wagner being a type A free agent who was offered arbitration, Atlanta will lose their first round pick to the Red Sox as compensation for the signing. Wagner, who returned from Tommy John surgery last season, eliminated all doubt when he posted a 1.72 ERA with 26 strikeouts over 15 and 2/3 innings.

Wagner is 3rd on the active saves list, behind only Trevor Hoffman and Mariano Rivera. Wagner needs 40 saves to pass John Franco for first on the all-time saves list among left-handers. Despite the signing, Atlanta will also need to bring in a set up man to help Wagner. Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution speculated players such as Octavio Dotel and Fernando Rodney as possible candidates. Last year for the White Sox Dotel went 3-3 with a 3.32 ERA and 16 holds while setting up for closer Bobby Jenks. Rodney went 2-5 with a 4.40 ERA while recording 37 saves for the Detroit Tigers in 2009. If signed, it would be Dotel’s second stint with Atlanta. He appeared in 9 games and had a 4.70 ERA while recording 12 strikeouts in 2007. Both would be solid additions to a bullpen that was overworked through much of the 2009 season.