Atlanta Braves Tied to Reliever Greg Holland in Rumor Mill
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves have been tied to reliever Greg Holland and could explore signing the reliever. Signing Holland would make sense and something the Braves should do if the price is reasonable.
Greg Holland would be a perfect fit for the Atlanta Braves. The current closer on the team is Arodys Vizcaino who has a less than consistent track record. Signing veteran Holland would provide stability for the bullpen.
Jim Johnson had been the Braves’ closer on and off for the majority of the rebuild. His struggles made the ninth inning less than stable and always entertaining in all the wrong ways.
Vizcaino is a capable reliever but one who is more suited for the earlier innings until he can find some consistency.
Holland is coming off of a season that saw him convert 41 of 45 save chances what makes that even more impressive is he did that for the Rockies who play in one of the most hitter friendly parks in the League.
Holland is still sitting on the market and has been connected to the Braves. At the very least the Braves have reached out to gauge the market on Holland. Adding Holland doesn’t make the Braves contenders.
What it does is provide stability for the bullpen and will improve the Braves’ win expectancy as the Braves youth spends this year learning how to win.
Learning to win will be much easier with a closer who is capable of closing games with a bit of consistency. That isn’t Vizcaino and the fact that the Braves are talking to Holland points out they are well aware of that possibility.
Greg Holland has two weeks left to find a job and get ready for the season. If he were to sign quickly the Braves could have him ready to begin the season. If more time passes it is hard to see Holland starting the season on a roster.