The Braves have added yet another option to Atlanta's underwhelming bullpen in a deal with the Astros that lands veteran reliever Rafael Montero. It is far from the first time Atlanta has shopped in the bargain aisle in an attempt to fix their lack of bullpen depth.
It has already netted the team two reunions with veteran reliever Jessie Chavez and brought back former Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel. All three moves point to one common theme: Atlanta didn't do enough in the offseason.
This is further evidenced by how manager Brian Snitker has had to manage games in the first weeks of the season. Hector Neris, Pierce Johnson, Dylan Lee, Aaron Bummer, and Daysbel Hernandez have all been counted on in big spots. This reveals the fact that Snitker and Atlanta's coaching staff simply have zero idea who they can count on to keep control late in games. The move for Montero speaks to that fact and the team's level of desperation to find a level of stability.
Braves Make Surprise Trade That Could Make Season Even Worse
The Braves have acquired right-handed reliever Rafael Montero and cash from the Astros in exchange for a player to be named later
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) April 9, 2025
With the position the Braves have put themselves in, the team must find quick solutions. Attempting to climb their way back into the division and wild card races isn't going to be easy. It will require finding bullpen pieces they can rely on at least until Alex Anthopoulos can find more stable solutions closer to the league's trade deadline. With every team still feeling they are in the current postseason race, the market is far from taking shape.
This leads to Atlanta trading for Montero in hopes that the reliever can recapture his 2022 form. Never mind the fact that this season was the outlier in every way, and the three years since have been consistent frustrations. The Braves are desperate enough to give Montero a chance and hope they are able to find a way to find the consistency that has been lacking for the majority of Montero's decade-long career.
If the Braves are going into this with any expectations for Montero whatsoever, they are going to be sorely disappointed. The move should be viewed for what it is: a shot in the dark in hopes that Atlanta's coaching staff can turn back the clock to an outlier of a season. It is unlikely, but with the level of desperation and Atlanta's lack of options, giving Montero the chance isn't a bad decision.
However, the most likely way this is going to end is by costing the Braves a game and proving this shot in the dark was just that. Rafael Montero will forever be remembered by Houston fans for the reliever's magical 2022 postseason run, the rest they would like to forget.