Kolb, Obermueller get new leases on life

DALLAS -- After battling through a difficult 2005 campaign in Atlanta, the Braves dealt reliever Dan Kolb back to the Brewers on Wednesday.

Atlanta acquired right-hander Wes Obermueller in exchange for Kolb, who followed his 2004 All-Star season with Milwaukee by posting a 5.93 ERA and converting just 11 of his 18 save opportunities with the Braves.

During the 2004 Winter Meetings, the Braves traded top pitching prospect Jose Capellan in exchange for Kolb, who most believed would prove to be a reliable closer. He lost that role by mid-May and continued to struggle throughout the rest of the season.

"The thing with Dan Kolb didn't work for us," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said. "The Brewers were willing to make this deal. They had interest in Kolb and our people have seen Wes throw well. We get a guy who in the past has had some success, and we like his arm. So we'll give it a shot."

The Brewers are expected to non-tender Kolb later this month with the agreement that they'll re-sign him to a new contract. The right-hander, who converted 39 of 44 save opportunities in 2004, made $3.4 million this past season. He was 4-3 with a 5.62 ERA and three saves in 43 appearances with the Potomac Nationals.

By not tendering him a contract, Milwaukee is able to offer him a salary with more than a 20 percent pay cut. The Brewers are hoping Kolb will want to do this to have the opportunity to be reunited with pitching coach Mike Maddux and to pitch in an environment where he was successful just two years ago.

"I think Danny might drive this a little bit," said Brewers general manager Doug Melvin. "Everybody knows the circumstances -- [Kolb] pitched well for us and he didn't pitch well for Atlanta."

Kolb came to Atlanta known as a ground ball specialist. His sinker had helped him produce a 2.20 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio in 2004. The number dropped to 1.88 in 2005. In addition, while throwing just one-third of an inning more last year, his walk total increased from 15 to 29.

"I mean, he could very well turn it around next year and get the ground balls at somebody," Braves manager Bobby Cox said. "I felt bad because he had spurts where he pitched pretty darned good, and was kind of like he was the year before. ... I felt bad because we couldn't get him going and we should have."

With Obermueller, the Braves obtain a 28-year-old right-handed reliever who was 1-4 with a 5.26 ERA in 23 appearances at the Major League level last year. He was 3-1 with a 2.55 ERA in nine games for the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. He has struggled with his control, but the Braves' scouts believe he has a good arm that provides potential.

With another Thursday trade that sent Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks, Schuerholz obtained Oscar Villarreal and Lance Cormier, two relievers who provide depth to the bullpen. If he has a strong spring and is able to turn himself around, Obermueller might also find himself as one of Atlanta's relievers on Opening Day.

"We have a really good pitching program," Schuerholz said. "We have a really good pitching environment. We make pitchers better in our organization."

While proving unable to fill John Smoltz's shoes as the Atlanta closer, Kolb was obviously one of the exceptions to that rule. But reunited with Maddux, he may be able to regain the successful form he had during the first half of the 2004 season.

"I think Danny felt like he was filling some big shoes and he might have put a little more pressure on himself than he needed to," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "I think he's back in an environment where he's comfortable with the pitching coach and the city."