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Borderline contenders could help the Atlanta Braves bullpen

By Matthew Browning

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 17: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves pulls Wes Parsons #52 from the game in the ninth inning of an MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on May 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 17: Manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves pulls Wes Parsons #52 from the game in the ninth inning of an MLB game against the Milwaukee Brewers at SunTrust Park on May 17, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 10: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on May 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – MAY 10: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning at Busch Stadium on May 10, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates made some questionable moves at the trade deadline last year, acquiring controllable talent in Chris Archer from Tampa Bay and Keone Kela from Texas.

It didn’t pay any dividends as Pittsburgh missed the playoffs by eight games.

Now sitting behind the Brewers and Cubs in the NL Central, the Pirates seem destined to sell off some of their most valuable assets… again.

Oddly enough, the Braves themselves could help nudge the Pirates into the ‘sellers’ aisle over the next couple of weeks with 7 head-to-head games before the middle of June.

The one name of note that could entice the Braves is electric closer Felipe Vazquez, who is having his second consecutive stellar season.

After saving 37 games and making the All-Star team last season, Vazquez has saved 14 games in 14 chances this season, with an ERA of 1.57.

The cost to acquire Vazquez would be quite high, as he is signed through the 2021 season with team options for 2022 and 2023. He is making $4.5 million this season.

While the most premium prospects like Ian Anderson, Kyle Muller and Kyle Wright may be off limits, the next tier of prospects like Bryse Wilson and Joey Wentz could get the discussion going.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds actually have two relievers who will be of interest for every contender and those two are Amir Garrett and Raisel Iglesias.

Garrett, a 6-5 lefty, has been way more than a left-handed specialist as he actually has better numbers against right-handed batters.  Righties are hitting .184, while lefties are hitting .227.

Garrett won’t be a free agent until 2024.

Iglesias has not been as good so far as he was last season when he saved 30 games with a 2.38 ERA. His current ERA is 3.20 and opponents’ BAbip is .310.

Iglesias signed a seven-year contract in 2014 and updated that deal in 2018 and will be a free agent in 2022. He is currently making $5.7 million this season and is due another (roughly) $24 million through 2022.

Since the Reds only recently did this for Iglesias, trading for him will be difficult… if not outright rejected, but he’s worth an inquiry regardless.

Since the newest contract tidied up some future uncertainties regarding arbitration-eligibility and such, Cincy may actually be in a better position to value him for a trade, though they probably didn’t envision considering such a thing this soon.

Neither player would cost as much as Vazquez, but a top 20 prospect headlining a deal would make sense, with Iglesias being more expensive.

There will be all sorts of bullpen options for the Braves in the coming weeks and these four teams are just 4 of many clubs who will be looking for business.

With so many teams in need of relief help, it might be wise for the Braves to start shopping early.

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