The MLB All-Star break is here, but that didn't stop the Atlanta Braves from losing another option for the back of the bullpen this week. On Monday, veteran hurler Kevin Herget elected free agency after being designated for assignment last week. The veteran minor leaguer only made one appearance this season and was solid, tossing a scoreless inning on July 1.
Still, there wasn't a reason to keep the reliever on the roster with the more interesting options the Braves were able to shuffle back and forth from Triple-A Gwinnett to the Major League roster. For an underwhelming bullpen, it is a familiar story of a player with limited minor league experience who has been brought in on a bargain deal with Atlanta, hoping to find surprise depth.
Herget obviously wasn't a fan of the situation and opted to quit rather than continue working with Gwinnett. Considering Atlanta's current bullpen situation, one could argue this isn't the worst decision.
The Braves have so many injuries to the team's rotation bullpen games have been common, taxing whoever is most available. Add in the fact that only Grant Holmes and Spencer Strider can be relied on to eat innings, and the reason to move on from a chance to be a member of the Braves' bullpen is understandable.
Former Braves Reliever Kevin Herget Quits Team
If ever a player was going to quit on the Braves, there hasn't been a better time in recent history to walk away. The team is still sitting double-digit games below .500 and simply cannot get out of its own way. Underachieving players and endless injuries continue to define a team expected to contend for the postseason.
Instead, the Braves are among the league's most boring teams, unable to play any part of the game with a level of consistency. It is growing difficult for fans to continue to hang with the team, and it cannot be pleasant for the players either. Herget was given a choice and the ability to escape from the issues plaguing the franchise.
While quitting is rarely the right move, this does save the reliever's arm and gives him a chance to land in a better situation. Even if it was with a lesser team that can offer more consistent, viable innings. No question, Herget's moving on from the Braves was the right choice for the veteran minor leaguer.