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Atlanta Braves Further Solidify Bullpen, Sign Chris Martin

By Deke Lloyd

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 22: Chris Martin #31 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JUNE 22: Chris Martin #31 of the Texas Rangers pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the ninth inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 22, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The Atlanta Braves continued their process of stockpiling bullpen arms when the team signed Chris Martin to a two-year deal worth 14 million dollars. With the move, the Braves are in contention to have the best bullpen in the NL.

The Atlanta Braves acquired Chris Martin midseason when the team made a trade with the Texas Rangers. In his time with the Braves, Martin made 20 appearances with a 4.08 ERA with 22 strikeouts and just one walk. The ERA doesn’t look good, but his time with the Braves was very successful. Unfortunately, for the Braves and Martin, an oblique strain knocked Martin out of the NLDS in the first game.

Martin coming back will bolster this Braves for the upcoming season after having so many struggles last season. When Martin, Shane Greene, and Mark Melancon came over after the trade deadline, it took some time for the new guys to get adjusted to their new team and surroundings. The Braves will not have the same issue going into this season. Having Martin in place as your 6th or 7th inning guy makes this bullpen so much better than last season when the team was shuffling starters and minor players through the bullpen.

With the Martin and Will Smith signed this offseason, and Mark Melancon in place as the closer, the Braves are boasting one of the deepest bullpens in all of baseball. Add in Shane Greene when the Braves get a deal done with him, and this bullpen is scary. With those four in place, the Braves will get to play with how they want to use these pitchers in the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th inning. That means the days of having to sweat out Luke Jackson saves are long gone for this team.

Now, with the bullpen airtight, the Braves can shift their focus to the starting pitching market and a bat for the lineup, possibly resigning Josh Donaldson to come back for one more season. However, the bullpen was the biggest problem for the Braves last season. After the Martin signing, the Braves will not have to worry about that area of the team going into next season. Now, let’s go get a frontline starter and power bat, and the Braves are ready to compete for the World Series next season.

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