Earlier today, we talked about the possibility of upgrades for MLB teams… and how there are really not too many true upgrades still available. Atlanta could use this one.

We don’t know whether the Atlanta Braves even have any interest in free agent closer Craig Kimbrel.

We don’t know how far apart he and the Red Sox are in dollars; we don’t know if he’d even entertain the idea of coming ‘home’ to a place that once used him as bait to help offload a bad contract.

What we do know – and could argue – is that the Braves could really use a pitching upgrade, and if that doesn’t come from those who start games, then perhaps it can come at the end.

The Rationale

Atlanta managed 40 saves in 2018, but they also blew 20 save opportunities.

A total of thirty different pitchers functioned in a relief role… counting Charlie Culberson. While they finished in the middle of the pack in ERA (4.15), they were…

17th in fWAR

Last in walk rate

14th (tie) in strikeout rate

20th in the rate of stranding runners

All that while not being used as much as many other teams (10th-fewest innings)

It wasn’t all bad… the Braves were 2nd in the rate of home runs allowed, but seventh in WHIP (1.40).

If I can translate that prior sentence further, it means that the Braves’ bullpen was regularly walking a tightrope with only a couple of pitches separating themselves from disaster.

They Could Survive

There are improvements for 2019… or at least there should be. The last pitchers standing from 2018 (or so it seemed) will be back in 2019… and that group generally included the better ones of the bunch:

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Vizcaino

Minter

Venters

Winkler

Carle

Biddle

Back to help will be Chad Sobotka and Darren O’Day. That means competition between these are others like Max Fried, Sam Freeman, and Luke Jackson.

But I would argue that Atlanta could still use one more… Craig Kimbrel.

Of note, the Red Sox blew 20 saves in 2018 also… though Kimbrel was only charged with responsibility for 5 of those while saving 42.

He certainly walked more batters than he’s used to doing (4.48 per 9 innings), though he also struck out hitters at a rate of nearly 14 per game and is still the only reliever with at least 1 save who has ever — meaning “forever” — saved more games than the number of hits he’s allowed… 333 of them against 285.

Fathom the Opportunities

Unless something significant changes, the Braves will be unable to add anyone to the front of their rotation. But frankly, if you can’t add an anchor to the front of your ship, then it’s reasonable – and just as effective – to add one at the back instead.

Honestly, I’m getting more comfortable with the idea of going into the season with the bullpen as comprised above. This is likely a capable group that can get the job done, though depth could be an issue.

Wouldn’t you rather be more certain of that, though?

I wrote the other day that we just want the Braves to win. Winning on the edge of your seat; winning a laugher with a huge margin… I don’t care how, I just want the right outcome.

I would love it if teams were to come into BB&Sun Park (or whatever they’re gonna call the place), get off the bus, and think “man, we’d better get some runs early… if we’re behind after the 5th, we’re toast.”

I want a bullpen that strikes fear into their inner being. One that induces despair.

The Yankees have that. the Mets might have that. The Dodgers and Indians had that. I don’t want the Phillies to have that.

At fleeting times in the past, the Braves have had that, too. It’s a really good feeling… one that spreads to the rest of the team, too.

You line up Winkler, Venters, Minter, O’Day, Vizcaino, and Kimbrel… you can go to war with that group.

Even if you’re relying on these new youngsters as starters for the back end of the rotation, having this crew behind them will definitely improve them. Need to take a starter out an inning early? No problem. Need extra help for extra innings? No problem.

Cost Containment

The Braves were poised to spend roughly $15-16 million in an attempt to acquire Michael Brantley. Instead, they committed $6 million to bring back Nick Markakis. So there is still cash available.

The highest Average Annual Value (AAV) contract signed by any relief pitcher this off-season is the 3-year, $39 million pact secured by Zack Britton.

Kimbrel is better than that, and everybody knows it. He reportedly wanted something in record territory… around 6 years and $17-18 million. That wasn’t going to happen, but there should be a more reasonable number that the Braves could get to… perhaps 3 years at $14 million with an option?

The offense already has enough firepower… more would be nice, but “more” of anything would always be nice, and at this point, there just aren’t many better options.

The rotation is likewise capable, but would be difficult to upgrade without a larger cost.

That leaves the bullpen… but this option has the potential to provide a direct upgrade there while also providing strong tangential and inspirational support to both of the other ‘branches’ of this Braves team.

I had intended this to be a Pro/Con run-down of the reasons for the Braves to either acquire or to ignore Kimbrel as a option for the roster… except that aside from money and the loss of a 2nd round draft pick in June, there really arent’ any serious downsides.

It all points to this…

Alex Anthopoulos: please make the deal. Sign Craig Kimbrel.