Craig Kimbrel
Jason Bishop Show with Kipp Branch June 1
Fire Fighter
By: TJ Hartnett
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
There is such a thing as beating a dead horse – so head’s up: I am about to do it.
I am about to talk about relief pitching, and it will not be a positive column. You have been warned.
The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Atlanta Braves, finishing up yet another series in which the Braves proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that they desperately need help in their bullpen.
Reliever AJ Minter took a loss in the series, spoiling a great start by rookie, Max Fried. Both Minter and Chad Sobotka gave up 3 earned runs a piece in the loss.
That dumpster fire was followed up by an extra innings loss after Jesse Biddle couldn’t hold the tie game in the 10th inning.
Then Mike Soroka took a loss even though the young hurler gave up one run on six strikeouts and a walk in five innings, but Sobotka gave up another three (two earned) to let the game get away from the Braves.
I’m not sure this can be considered a silver lining, but in the first game of the doubleheader against the Indians, it was Julio Teheran who gave up the most runs in the Braves’ fourth straight loss (Wes Parsons did give up three as well; that bullpen will not be outdone!).
So back to that dead horse. Even though we haven’t brought him up in the SSE for a while: let’s talk about Craig Kimbrel.
Kimbrel is still sitting at home with a week and a half left until May. From what I’ve read, there’s an increasing chance that Kimbrel’s asking price has dropped from the reported six-year, $100 million-or-so to possibly even a much more palatable three-year contract.
Interesting note, Kimbrel’s agent is the same guy who represents Ozzie Albies, which is bonkers when you think about it: one guy is sitting at home because he’s asking for too much, the other guy took roughly 1/10th of his value for the next decade.
But let’s throw money out of the equation for now and pretend that the Braves and Kimbrel could reach a deal that would satisfy both the flame-throwing righty as well as Liberty Media.
Would Kimbrel really be the savior of the season if the Braves actually inked him to a return deal? Well, no. Despite being one of the greatest closers of all time even this early into his career, he’s still just one guy.
He can replace Arodys Vizcaino at the back end of the bullpen (Vizcaino, possibly the most reliable piece on the relief staff, is out for the season), but he can’t set up for himself, or do damage control for three innings in the middle of a game. He’s a great pitcher, but he’s not five great pitchers.
The starting rotation, which has been very good, isn’t going to provide eight innings every night, either.
Unfortunately, that’s the only situation in which signing Craig Kimbrel solves all of the Braves’ problems. That being said, it also would be a good start. The best bullpens are built from the 9th inning on down, and a reunion with Kimbrel would certainly be a step in the right direction.
Brave Silence
By: TJ Hartnett
GeorgiaSportsEdition.com news services
The MLB Winter Meetings are always an exciting time in the baseball offseason. Each teams’ front office in close proximity and free agents’ representation present too. The chance for trades and signings is high.
This year’s meetings saw some movement, with the likes of Joe Kelly, Charlie Morton, Ian Kinsler, and Andrew McCutchen signing with new teams. Edwin Encarnacion, Ivan Nova, and Carlos Santana being traded (Santana was moved twice).
The Atlanta Braves, however, remained quiet, with their only transaction being one of deduction after the Baltimore Orioles claimed Rio Ruiz off of waivers.
The lack of moves is surprising only in relation to the amount of times Atlanta was mentioned in relation to trades or free agents. It seemed like every day the Braves were name-dropped, be that as a potential trade partner with the Marlins for JT Realmuto or as a destination for a free agent like Michael Brantley.
However, the Meetings ended (Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos actually left early to attend a Liberty Media meeting in Denver) and no triggers were pulled on any front.
It’s easy to look at what the Braves have and haven’t done and be worried. The signings of both Josh Donaldson and Brian McCann made for an exciting Monday, but the three things the Braves really needed to address – a front-line starter, bullpen help, and a starting catcher – remain on Atlanta’s to-do list as the new year draws closer.
However, just because the Winter Meetings have ended without those holes being filled, there is no reason to panic. After all, despite a few big moves there is a lot left to do in the offseason for many teams and several free agents. The two big fish that are Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are still swimming around the pool, for example.
JT Realmuto is a still a Marlin, though that is still likely to change before Spring Training. That being said, the news regarding a trade with Atlanta is contradictory: on Saturday, the Braves were reported as frontrunners to land the All-Star catcher, followed by a report just a few hours later that Atlanta was no longer pursuing a trade for him. Believe what you will, but just because the Braves didn’t make a move doesn’t mean that they no longer can.
The same goes for filling a corner outfield spot. While McCutchen could have been a fit, there are other outfielders that might serve Atlanta well.
The biggest issue caused by Cutch’s deal with Philly was actually how much he was paid – $50 million for a 3-year contract. That obviously doesn’t hurt the Braves’ wallet directly, but the former NL MVP is on the downslope of his career. Thus, signing for that average annual value drives up the cost of younger outfielders like Brantley and AJ Pollock.
Unless the Braves want to pony up for those guys, a trade, like the rumored trade for the Tigers’ Nick Castellano, might be the road Anthopoulos could choose to take.
There’s also the possibility of a reunion with Nick Markakis, who will be cheaper than the aforementioned outfielders even after his All-Star campaign in 2018.
While he shouldn’t be expected to repeat that production, he was an integral part of Atlanta’s clubhouse last season, so he would still be welcome there.
The point is, there are still plenty of options, not just in the outfield but on the mound as well. Patrick Corbin has been signed, but Dallas Keuchel remains a free agent; Corey Kluber and Madison Bumgarner have not been traded; relief pitchers can come from nearly anywhere (there’s also Craig Kimbrel, but if his rumored asking price of 6 years, $100 million plus is to be believed, he’s not coming back to Atlanta).
The Winter Meetings may be over, but the Braves’ offseason is far from it.
