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Atlanta Braves Rumors: Relievers to target through August

By Benjamin Chase

14 Jul 1995: Pitcher Kent Mercker of the Atlanta Braves prepares to throw the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Braves won the game 6-2.. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport
14 Jul 1995: Pitcher Kent Mercker of the Atlanta Braves prepares to throw the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Braves won the game 6-2.. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /
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14 Jul 1995: Pitcher Kent Mercker of the Atlanta Braves prepares to throw the ball during a game against the San Diego Padres. The Braves won the game 6-2.. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport /

A number of Atlanta Braves fans are calling for relief help in the wake of a pair of tough games against the Rockies this weekend. Are there any Braves rumors on arms that could be acquired?

Fans can be a fickle lot. After having tremendous performances for nearly two months, lefties Jesse Biddle and A.J. Minter struggled in the Atlanta Braves bullpen this week, and it’s started a call among fans to bring in veterans to ensure that Biddle, Minter, and already-struggling Dan Winkler and Luke Jackson were not put into “big” spots. Whether there are Braves rumors of interest in relievers or not, there’s certainly a call for there to be!

The issue, of course, is that we are now in the August waiver trade deadline when any player acquired has to go through the process of waivers before they are able to be acquired, and either the Atlanta Braves have to win the waiver claim on the player, or they need to clear waivers.

That likely means anyone who is young, controllable, and good is not going to get through waivers this month and be available, but those who have a large contract, are pending free agents, or have had some performance issues in 2018 could be available and show up in Braves rumors.

That puts the market a bit more limited, and it’s good for you as the reader to temper your expectations before digging in here. There won’t be the relief equivalent of Justin Verlander here anywhere, but there could be a guy to offer what Kent Mercker did for the Atlanta Braves in 2003.

Not familiar with Mercker’s work? I figured probably not. Let’s do a quick review of the previous relievers acquired in August over the last 30 years and how they performed for the Atlanta Braves:

  • Kent Mercker, acquired from Cincinnati for PTBNL (would become Matt Belisle), 2003, 18 G, 17 IP, 1.06 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 7/7 BB/K
  • Jaret Wright, claimed off waivers from San Diego, 2003, 11 G, 9 IP, 2.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3/9 BB/K
  • Rudy Seanez, acquired from San Diego for PTBNL (Winston Abreu), 2001, 12 G, 12 IP, 3.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 4/17 BB/K
  • Norm Charlton, signed as free agent, 1998, 13 G, 13 IP, 1.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8/6 BB/K
  • Alejandro Pena, acquired from Marlins for PTBNL (Chris Seelbach), 1995, 14 G, 13 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 4/18 BB/K
  • Jeff Reardon, acquired from Boston for Sean Ross and Nate Minchey, 1992, 14 G, 15 2/3 IP, 1.15 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 2/7 BB/K
  • Alejandro Pena, acquired from Mets for Tony Castillo and PTBNL (Joe Roa), 1991, 15 G, 19 1/3 IP, 1.40 ERA, 0.72 WHIP, 3/13 BB/K
  • Mike Bielecki, acquired along with Damon Berryhill from Cubs for Yorkis Perez and Turk Wendell, 1991, 2 G, 1 2/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.40 WHIP, 2/3 BB/K

So that’s the team’s recent history of relievers acquired in August. Let’s take a look at who could be acquired this month…

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