Atlanta Braves: Are We Underestimating This Bullpen?

One of the biggest question marks going into the 2019 season for the Atlanta Braves is the bullpen. But should we be worried?

While everyone waits in anticipation to see if the Atlanta Braves will secure the backend of the bullpen by signing Craig Kimbrel, it may be time to realize that the bullpen pieces for the upcoming season are already in place.

When the offseason began the Braves had three major items to fill: a replacement for Nick Markakis, a frontline starter, and a closer.

I think a big reason why a lot of Braves fans are frustrated is because you could say none of those needs have been taken care of this offseason…kinda.

We didn’t get an upgrade for Markakis in right field, but instead re-signed the durable — but aging — outfielder.

Nothing has been done to get a frontline starter or proven closer.

Rumors have been out there that the Braves have been in on some of those targets, but they haven’t pulled the trigger.

However, Dallas Keuchel and Kimbrel are still out there, so they could still make it happen.

I think the front office is comfortable going into the season with who we have. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the bullpen.

Whatcha Got?

Last year they had an ERA of 4.15, which ranked 17th in all of baseball. The problem with our bullpen last year had nothing to do with stuff as they had a .241 Batting Average Against (BAA; 12th best in the league) — they just couldn’t throw strikes.

Atlanta relievers issued the fourth most free passes in baseball with Miami, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore “ahead” of them.

At times A.J. Minter looked like the closer of the future, and he certainly has the stuff for it, so I think he could figure it out in 2019. Arodys Vizcaino has always been effective, he just has to stay healthy.

When you look at it that way, the Braves have potentially two really good closers already in place.

Chad Sobotka came on at the end of last year and was great. Now we get a full season of him.

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Dan Winkler was great to start the season before trailing off in the second half. Hopefully, he’s learned how to sustain success through a long season. The same can be said for Jesse Biddle and Shane Carle.

Jonny Venters looked like the Jonny Venters of old, and now we’ll have him for a full season as well.

And don’t forget that the Atlanta Braves have Darren O’Day this season after he missed the end of 2018 with an injury. He has a career ERA of 2.56 and will be a great veteran in the bullpen.

With Minter, Viz, Sobotka, Winkler, Venters, and O’Day the Atlanta Braves have six quality arms in the bullpen that you feel really good about.

If Biddle and Carle can work on their mechanics and not issue as many walks, they can be just as reliable again.

And then you throw in the fact that the Braves have several young guys like Max Fried, Bryse Wilson, and Luiz Gohara who could be big contributors in the bullpen if needed, and you begin to realize why the front office is not that concerned with the bullpen.

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On top of all of that, it’s a lot easier to get a bullpen arm during the season. Atlanta Braves fans may want to relax on the bullpen as it has the potential to be a top 10 group in 2019.

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