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Braves Revamp Bullpen With Flurry Of Trades

By Deke Lloyd

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 04: General manager Alex Anthopoulos and manager Brian Snitker #43 of the Atlanta Braves talk during batting practice prior to Game One of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on October 4, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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In a flurry of quick moves, the Braves added three relievers on the MLB trade deadline day. With the reinforcements now in place, this Braves team looks a lot different moving into the home stretch of the season.

The moves started for the Braves on Tuesday when the team acquired Chris Martin from the Texas Rangers. Martin has been a setup guy for the Rangers, and the Braves will look to him to fill the same position in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, the Braves got the bulk of their new players. While watching Luke Jackson and Sean Newcomb blow a lead in the 9th inning, the Braves were finishing a trade with the Tigers to acquire Shane Greene. Greene has been a lockdown closer for the past few seasons in Detriot. The Braves have had a massive hole at the backend of their bullpen, and Greene will fill that absence immediately.

However, the Braves weren’t done adding. In a trade with the San Francisco Giants, the Braves got Mark Melancon, traditionally a setup guy. Melancon is a highly paid reliever, 14 million next season to be precise, but he provides a variety of skills. Melancon has 183 career saves. Getting a deal done for Melancon provides insurance for Greene if things don’t work out for the newest Braves closer.

With the three new relievers, the Braves bullpen will take on an entirely new look. I wouldn’t be surprised to see A.J. Minter, Chad Sobotka, and Jerry Blevins as the odd men out with the new acquisitions. Luke Jackson, the Braves closer for most of this season, I think, still has a place with this team. With a new role, Jackson will have less pressure which could lead to a more consistent performance from him. Sean Newcomb and Touki Toussaint will be here still, I would assume. It’s all up in the air at the moment, but with all the moves, the Braves bullpen is a lot better today.

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