The Atlanta Braves have limped through the 2024 season with a dollar-store bullpen and a rotation plagued by injuries. While the rotation woes can be blamed on the injuries, the bullpen's struggles have no such fortune. Atlanta's lack of pen reliability is on the shoulders of ownership and the front office. Who exactly you want to blame all depends on who is answering the question.
Atlanta's ownership group appears to have limited spending leaving the team unable to patch obvious holes. However, this hasn't been the message of the front office, which simply acted as if they were unable to find the right deals. Regardless of the truth, there is no denying the infuriating results. The one constant has been overturn and an inability to find answers. Even veteran closer Raisel Iglesias suffered a surprise implosion.
This has resulted in a very long list of relievers the Braves have used throughout the 2025 season. One that grew just a bit longer with Atlanta claiming Connor Seabold from the Tampa Bay Rays. The veteran shouldn't have any issues working the reliever into the back of a pen that has been a constant revolving door.
The Braves Claim Veteran Reliever Connor Seabold
Seabold started his career with the Boston Red Sox in 2021, unable to solidify a spot in the bullpen. The veteran would bounce around the league, spending time with the Rockies and Rays at the Major League level. Seabold's career numbers aren't very flattering, with a 1-11 record and 7.73 ERA in 115.1 career innings pitched.
Numbers that show why Seabold is available this late in the season and able to join the failing Atlanta pen. It is hard to see a path to the reliever being anything other than a long relief option. Even in the Braves' struggling pen, there are far more proven and capable options if Seabold performs to career expectations.
With this in mind, the addition is likely another short-lived answer in Atlanta's continual front office attempts to find a surprise bargain. In truth, the Braves have no other choice at this point, having failed to find legitimate answers in the offseason. Regardless, it is another frustrating reminder of just how far the season has fallen.
Domingo Gonzalez was designated for assignment to make room for Seabold on Atlanta's 40-man roster. This is a fair trade with both players being non-factors in what Atlanta hopes to build for the 2026 season.