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Atlanta Braves: Trade for Jerry Blevins is a start, but not the answer

By Jake Mastroianni

ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 07: Jerry Blevins #39 of the New York Mets throws in the eight inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 7, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - JUNE 07: Jerry Blevins #39 of the New York Mets throws in the eight inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on June 7, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
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Late Saturday night the Atlanta Braves made a move to try and improve their bullpen by trading for left-handed reliever Jerry  Blevins.

Jerry Blevins is a 35-year-old veteran who has spent time in the NL East — both with the Nationals and Mets. The Atlanta Braves hope he can help stabilize one of the worst bullpens in the league.

Blevins signed a minor league deal with the Oakland Athletics before the 2019 season and has pitched for their Triple-A team where he has a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched with 4 walks and 16 strikeouts.

The more interesting move to me here is that the Atlanta Braves sent down Wes Parsons, who was one of their more reliable relievers to start the season, but he has struggled as of late.

It would have made more sense for them to send down Jacob Webb or Chad Sobotka, but that goes to show you how much they believe in Sobotka — and how stubborn they have become about him.

But going back to Blevins, he has a career ERA of 3.52 over 12 Major League seasons with a WHIP of 1.23, a BB/9 of 3.5, and K/9 of 9.2.

Last season with the Mets he had a 4.85 ERA in 64 games (42.2 innings) with a WHIP of 1.36, a BB/9 of 4.6, and a K/9 of just 8.6.

His walk totals have gone up the past two seasons, which is not encouraging. We don’t need any more relievers who have trouble throwing strikes.

The two seasons before 2018 Blevins was awesome for the Mets, and that’s the guy we’re hoping to get.

But still, this is not the move that is going to save this bullpen. Blevins is a lefty specialist who has held lefties to a .216 average in his career.

We’re talking about a guy who may come in and face a batter or two whenever a lefty is up in a key situation.

For Alex Anthopoulos, this is an easy way for him to at least say, “Hey, I made a bullpen move.”

This is not the answer for fixing this bullpen.

Jonny Venters is expected to return soon, so hopefully we get the old Venters back and not the one who has given up 6 earned runs in 2.2 innings this year.

He will be another lefty out of the bullpen with Blevins, giving them three with A.J. Minter.

Next. Luke Jackson is the GOAT of the bullpen?. dark

This is a safe move for the front office as they gave up next-to-nothing, and it at least gives them a veteran in the bullpen.

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