Recurring failures from the Atlanta Braves bullpen have fans demanding, begging, and praying for a closer. The latest name to surface currently resides in Detroit.
The Atlanta Braves bullpen blew their eighth save in San Francisco Tuesday, and the fan chorus began their we need a closer chant.
In the fans’ fantasies, that closer is Craig Kimbrel in 2013 from, destroying batters by merely walking on the field.
Kimbrel remains one of baseball’s best closers; his bad year in Boston is one most closer would pay to have.
However, Kimbrel’s history set the bar very high. Kimbrel set the value of his contract very high as well. No one wanted to pay him that much and lose a draft pick, that’s why he’s unemployed now.
After 40 plus games, teams know exactly who they are and where they are headed, even if they don’t tell the fanbase.
Several teams will make closers available in June and July. The Blue Jays, Giants, Tigers, and White Sox, would certainly trade now, making closers like Ken Giles, Mark Melancon, Shane Greene, and Alex Colome available along with former closers like Sam Dyson.
Yesterday, Greene’s name appeared out of the ether in a Tweet from Paul Crane that seems to fall into that category.
Hearing ATL talking with DET about RP Shane Greene. Price may be too high w/young arms but talking. @929TheGame @MikeConti929
— Paul Crane (@PaulCrane7) May 22, 2019
This afternoon David O’Brien put the kibosh on that rumor.
Rumor of #Braves pursuing DET closer Shane Greene makes sense, given state of ATL bullpen. He's converted 15 of 15 saves, 1.35 ERA/0.750 WHIP, under control through '20. But I'm told by someone I trust that ATL hasn't pursued. Btw, has career 4.70 ERA/1.374 WHIP, 5.12 ERA in '18.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) May 22, 2019
As O’Brien notes, Greene fits the Braves needs. Since his name is out there, let’s look at what he might bring to the team and the potential cost.