House That Hank Built
Fansided

Two Low-Budget Signings the Atlanta Braves Need to Make

By Jake Mastroianni

ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 02: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals jokes with first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the game at SunTrust Park on June 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 02: Pitcher Gio Gonzalez #47 of the Washington Nationals jokes with first baseman Freddie Freeman #5 of the Atlanta Braves during the game at SunTrust Park on June 2, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Pitcher Ryan  Madson #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the game after giving up a three-run home run to Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox (not in photo) in the seventh inning of Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 27: Pitcher Ryan  Madson #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the game after giving up a three-run home run to Mitch Moreland #18 of the Boston Red Sox (not in photo) in the seventh inning of Game Four of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Ryan Madson

I’ll be honest, it’s slim pickings in the free agent market for pitchers beyond Keuchel and Kimbrel. Another article I wrote about a month ago listed the best relief options that were still available at that time.

Well, outside of Kimbrel and Ryan Madson, just about everyone that list is now gone. And if the Atlanta Braves aren’t going to spend big on Kimbrel, then they should at least take a shot on Madson.

However, Ken Rosenthal reported early in February (subscription required) that Madson is considering not even playing in 2019. And if he does, he’ll be very picky about where he chooses to play.

More from Tomahawk Take

Trying to read in between the lines there, it sounds like maybe Madson isn’t thrilled with having to prove himself again on a team that isn’t competing for a championship in 2019.

The good thing for the Atlanta Braves is that they are a contender in 2019. But after Madson posted just a 5.47 ERA last year in 55.2 innings pitched with 54 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.41, I doubt there are many teams willing to give him a guaranteed contract at 38-years-old.

If the Atlanta Braves could convince him to come in on a minor league deal that is incentive laden, then I think having the veteran with closing experience would be huge.

Another name to consider here is A.J. Ramos. He was shut down last June to have labrum surgery and I have not heard anything about him since.

The Atlanta Braves could easily sign Ramos to a minor league deal and hope he can come back early in the season. He is still just 32 and was lights out as a closer from 2015 to 2017 with a K/9 over 10.

Atlanta Braves: 5 requirements for the Braves to win the NL East in 2019. dark. Next

I know these aren’t the moves Braves fans are hoping for — and quite frankly, neither am I. But these are moves the front office can make to improve the team for 2019 without blowing up the budget or the farm system.

Home/Braves News