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Atlanta Braves Five Trade Deadline Targets

By Kit Anderson

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 13: Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals waits to bat against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on May 13, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Royals 11-2. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 13: Mike Moustakas #8 of the Kansas City Royals waits to bat against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning at Progressive Field on May 13, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Royals 11-2. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Arodys Vizcaino #38 of the Atlanta Braves pitchs in the 9th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – APRIL 13: Arodys Vizcaino #38 of the Atlanta Braves pitchs in the 9th inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Add a Closer Who Can Shut down the Late Innings 

Arodys Vizcaino has a nice arm and can throw plenty of heat. Still, watching him pitch is at times painful and he lacks the presence of an elite closer needs.

This isn’t to advocate the Braves can find an elite closer on the trade market, they can’t. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see the team add at least arm capable of shutting down the opponents in the late innings.

Adding Vizcaino into the 8th or 7th inning options would be the best bet for the Braves.  He is a good relief pitcher but not a great closer.

The Braves have been spoiled after watching years of Craig Kimbrel and then terrorized after two years of Jim Johnson.   Vizcaino is somewhere in between the two extremes. Adding him to earlier inning duties would be better for Vizcaino and the Braves.  Could the next pitcher in our countdown help the Braves late-inning bullpen troubles with a reunion?

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