Win-win situation for Kolb, Smoltz

Win-win situation for Kolb, Smoltz

When Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin called closer Dan Kolb and said he'd been traded to Atlanta, Kolb hardly believed what he was hearing.

"There had been rumors I might be traded, but it was the Cubs I kept hearing," he said. "Atlanta was a pleasant surprise. It was a little shocking when he said Atlanta."

Twenty-four hours later, the shock had worn off, replaced by excitement.

"Now, I'm ready to go," Kolb said Sunday from his home in Wisconsin. "There's still two months [until spring training], but I'm ready to get going."

Kolb, 29, who recorded a franchise-record 39 saves for a team that won only 67 games, will be asked to fill John Smoltz's considerable shoes, taking over closer duties for a team that's won 13 consecutive division titles.

"The pitching staffs they've had over the last 13 years, it's hard not to sit back and admire them," said Kolb, who toiled parts of four unimpressive seasons with the Texas Rangers before his career took off with Milwaukee in 2003.

Smoltz, who had a National League-record 55 saves in 2002 and 144 in the past three seasons, is returning to the starting role he desired. He goes back to the top of the rotation after not being a full-time starter since 1999, two elbow surgeries ago.

It would be an understatement to say the 37-year-old stalwart is excited.

"I was fine either way," said Smoltz, who told the Braves he'd play whichever role they thought best for the team, but hadn't been shy about divulging his preference.

"It's nice to know I can concentrate on [getting ready to be a starter]," Smoltz said. "I was training for it already. I'm excited. It's an incredible challenge.

"I always believe in challenges and overcoming obstacles. I don't have any doubts about my elbow."

He's had four elbow surgeries -- two "Tommy John" ligament transfers, one arthroscopy and an October 2003 procedure to remove scar tissue from nerves.

After the 2003 operation, Smoltz said he'd retire rather than undergo a fifth surgery.

The second ligament transfer surgery caused him to miss the 2000 season and led to his move to closer.

Braves general manager John Schuerholz has said doctors advised the team that Smoltz's elbow would be more susceptible to further injury with him starting.

But Schuerholz said the doctors now believe the routine of starting will be easier on the elbow at this stage of Smoltz's career. He said the change came from Smoltz getting past the healing and strengthening stages following the last major surgery.

The former 24-game and Cy Young Award winner is back in the rotation, and the Braves also are working on a two-year extension that could carry him through 2007 while reducing the Braves' commitment to him next season, which is currently $12 million plus $100,000 per start.

Kolb goes about the closer job a bit differently than Smoltz. In 101 appearances over two seasons, Kolb converted 60 of 67 saves and posted a 2.55 ERA and .228 opponents' average, using a 92-mph sinker and splitter to induce tons of ground balls.

He struck out only 60 in 98 2/3 innings, and only 21 last season when he became the first to record 30 saves with fewer than 30 strikeouts. This from a pitcher who used to throw high-90s heat and still can if need be.

"Doesn't matter to me how I get the job done, as long as I get it done," said Kolb, who has been healthy for two seasons since learning from Brewers pitching coach Mike Maddux how to rely on location.

The Braves can control Kolb for two seasons before free agency. He's eligible for arbitration and likely will command about $3 million in 2005.