Time to Get Rid of Kolb

The Atlanta Braves acquired Dan Kolb during the off season to replace John Smoltz as the closer. It has turned a very good team into a very mediocre team. Kolb has a 1–5 record and an ERA over 7. Bobby Cox is one of the best player managers ever, but even he has to see the writing on the wall and should put Kolb on the DL, ship him to the minors, or rent him to the Northern League for a dozen baseballs. Anything to get this poison out of the locker room.

From todays AJC:

Washington — A night after rallying for three runs in the eighth inning, the Braves hit the Washington Nationals with four.

That wasn’t enough for the beleaguered bullpen, however. Not with Dan Kolb coming in.

If the Braves are going to win a 14th consecutive division title, these late-game meltdowns are going to have to stop. Soon.

The Nationals scored five times in their half of the eighth inning Thursday night and beat the shell-shocked Braves 8-6 at RFK Stadium to take three of four games.

Kolb got just one out in the eighth inning and was charged with four of the runs.

“With him, it’s always location,” said Braves manager Bobby Cox, who hoped Kolb had worked out some of his problems during recent side sessions with pitching coach Leo Mazzone.

“I don’t have any answers right now,” said a dejected Kolb, who is 1-5 with a 7.20 ERA. “There’s a difference from [side sessions] and pitching in a game.

“I don’t know anymore. I don’t know what to do. I’m just [upset].”

Asked what was the most frustrating part of his struggles, Kolb said, “Everything. The whole season has been terrible.”