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Why the Atlanta Braves Should Re-sign Shane Greene

By Matt Melton

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 18: Shane Greene #19 of the Atlanta Braves delivers the pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 18, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 18: Shane Greene #19 of the Atlanta Braves delivers the pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game Seven of the National League Championship Series at Globe Life Field on October 18, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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You can never have enough bullpen depth. With the Atlanta Braves’ starting rotation arguably the best that it has been entering the season in years and the team coming off a season in which they were one game away from playing in the World Series, why not add to an already loaded bullpen?

That is why the Atlanta Braves should bring back a familiar face in relief pitcher Shane Greene for the 2021 season who is arguably the top remaining free agent available.

The Braves acquired Greene at the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline from the Detroit Tigers in a deal that sent Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte to Detroit.

Atlanta acquired the then All-Star closer to help solidify the closer role for the Braves which was then held by Luke Jackson.

As you know by now, however, the Braves also acquired Mark Melancon from the Giants who eventually took over the closer role for the Braves.

While one could argue that Greene didn’t live up to his All-Star caliber level during his time with Atlanta, he wasn’t bad at all.

With Greene coming off an All-Star caliber season as a closer, and the Braves desperately needing a closer, there was immense pressure and expectations right away. Sure Greene struggled with Atlanta during the remainder of the 2019 season going 0-1 with a 4.01 ERA, but Greene completely bounced back in 2020.

Now, yes, the 2020 MLB season was shortened immensely, but if you look at the numbers comparing the two seasons in Atlanta, it was a pretty even sample size.

2019 (ATL) – 27 games, 4.01 ERA, 25 H, 11 ER, 3 HR, 5 BB, 21 K, 1.216 WHIP, 9.1 H/9

2020 (ATL) – 28 games, 2.60 ERA, 22 H, 8 ER, 2 HR, 9 BB, 21 K, 1.120 WHIP, 7.2 H/9

Looking now at the Braves current bullpen with a little over a week to go before the 2021 season begins, Atlanta is relying on a few players to take the next step and build on a strong 2020 season and Postseason.

Will Smith seems fully cemented as the Braves closer with Melancon now gone. And then you have a combination of Chris Martin, Luke Jackson, AJ Minter, and Tyler Matzek as the set-up guys at the end of games.

How about the other bullpen candidates, however? Josh Tomlin and Huascar Ynoa have Atlanta set with long-relief roles, it is unknown where Bryse Wilson, Grant Dayton, and Jacob Webb will fit in, and Sean Newcomb may be the biggest unknown of all.

So why not bring Greene back?

The 32-year-old Greene is arguably the top remaining free agent available and would give the Braves a known and reliable option to go to at the end of games to get out of a jam.

Greene showed during the shortened 2020 season that 2019 was a one-time thing as he was adjusting to a completely new role with a new team with massive expectations compared to his previous team.

Next. Why Adrianza is a lock. dark

Adding Shane Greene makes a lot of sense for the Braves. Not only would he give the Braves a reliable and experienced option in the bullpen, but would give Atlanta an All-Star caliber reliever to mentor the younger guys. If you ask me what is the one thing I want the Braves to do in the next week, it’s signing Shane Greene.

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