Atlanta Braves Attempting to Help Terrible Bullpen

The Atlanta Braves made a minor addition to the bullpen adding veteran Jerry Blevins to a very leaky bullpen. The Braves are likely to continue and attempt to improve what has been a terrible relief unit.

Adding Jerry Blevins to the Atlanta Braves bullpen certainly won’t hurt the team but it also does little to fix the problems facing the Braves relief unit. Blevins is a veteran who can offer some guidance to a young pen but has little in the way of pitches.

It seems doubtful, however, he could be as bad as the rest of Atlanta’s relievers. It wouldn’t surprise even casual Braves fans to find out the team leads the League in walks given up.

Throwing consistent strikes is a skill that seemingly continually escapes anyone the Braves put in the bullpen. Walking in key runs or giving out a free pass before an extra base hits are two things that the Braves relievers have been consistent at.

Adding Blevins could be a boost if the Braves add another reliever via trade or free agency. They need at least two more consistent arms to help patch together the final three innings.

Craig Kimbrel remains a free agent and still makes a lot of sense for Atlanta. The former Braves would perfectly fill the biggest hole on the Braves roster. Allowing Blevins and Luke Jackson to be situational pitchers in earlier innings.

Kimbrel remains unlikely to land in Atlanta considering the Brave aversion to adding players they badly need. Draft picks seemingly influencing this decision is surprising considering the team is supposed to be in contention mode now.

Blevins has already pitched for Atlanta and appears to be able to throw strikes a skill escaping the rest of the Braves bullpen. More to come as Atlanta’s search for reliable relievers continues.