Atlanta Braves: Five Moves to Make Before Next Season
By Kit Anderson
- Find a Closer
Whether it is in the off-season or a post-trade deadline deal the Braves need to add a legitimate closer for next season and beyond. Jim Johnson is obviously no longer the Braves’ closer and has little chance of regaining that role.
There are also no long-term closers on the roster who are going to be options for the Braves. It is going to take a trade or free-agent signing. One closer of interest could be Craig Kimbrel if he is allowed to hit the open market.
With a team option on Kimbrel it is hard to see him hitting the open market but if he does the Braves should go all in on their former closer. A good closer could become a trade option as well in a deal that would move on from Nick Markakis or another veteran that the Braves are looking to move.
Adding a closer is an important step towards contention for a Braves roster that is already starting to look towards next season. If the Braves opt to stick with options they have on their roster now they will continue to struggle next season. Building a solid bullpen is a step for a contending team to take and if the Braves are going to take that next step it will start this off-season by finding a closer.