Atlanta Braves Looking to Revamp Bullpen This Offseason

The Atlanta Braves struggled in the 2015, recording one of the worst seasons in the recent memory.

Amidst the tumultuous 2015 campaign, the biggest deficiency for the Atlanta Braves was not offense (which was pretty bad) or starting pitching, but rather its horrendous bullpen. The Braves bullpen ranked 29th out of 30 teams in the MLB last season with a 4.69 ERA and a .264 batting average against. The Atlanta bullpen also ranked 29th in the league with 26 blown saves on the season.

Though the front-office is adamant that the Atlanta Braves are not tanking next season, recent trades of Cameron Maybin and Andrelton Simmons prove otherwise. The one area where the front-office does seem very active going into the MLB Winter Meetings is searching for bullpen help.

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By parting with Cameron Maybin in last week’s trade with the Detroit Tigers, the Atlanta Braves added left-hander Ian Krol, who will most likely find himself as a part of the relief corps on opening day. Krol’s statistics over the last three-years are underwhelming, but still only 24-years-old, could benefit from the guidance of Roger McDowell, and the further development of his repertoire (which features a 96-98 mph fastball).

The Atlanta Braves also shed $6.5 million in salary obligations to Maybin next season, which they could use to target a top free-agent reliever. One such target that the Atlanta Braves have their eyes on is right-hander Darren O’Day. In 2015 with the Baltimore Orioles, recorded a 1.52 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP in 68 appearances. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman reports that the demand for O’Day from other teams is significant, but the Atlanta Braves now possess the financial flexibility to at least make a run at the reliever.

Bowman also posits that the Atlanta Braves could also pursue Ryan Madson, Joakim Soria and southpaw free-agent Tony Sipp, who pitched for the Astros last season. All of these relievers would provide significant upgrades in the bullpen for the Braves. Atlanta also recently signed David Carpenter to a minor-league deal. Carpenter was with the team during their 2013 NL East run.

If the Atlanta Braves can sign two of the relievers named above, they would cement a bullpen that will already look better when some players return from injury. Jason Grilli is projected to return by Spring Training, while Shae Simmons is on track to return at some point in May of 2016.

Next: Adonis Garcia: Braves Starting 3B in 2016?

Regardless of what the Atlanta Braves continue to do with their roster, it’s clear that the team is working hard to improve their relief corps. With Grilli and Simmons returning, Arodys Vizcaino contending for a closer spot, and new-found financial flexibility to upgrade the ‘pen, the Atlanta bullpen is already looking much better than it did last season.

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