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Atlanta Braves bargain shopping: 4 relievers to consider at the trade deadline

By Josh Mathews

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 4: General manager Alex Anthopoulos of the Toronto Blue Jays talks to media before MLB game action against the New York Yankees on April 4, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 4: General manager Alex Anthopoulos of the Toronto Blue Jays talks to media before MLB game action against the New York Yankees on April 4, 2014 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Pitcher Mychal  Givens #60 of the Baltimore Orioles throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 29: Pitcher Mychal  Givens #60 of the Baltimore Orioles throws to a Toronto Blue Jays batter in the ninth inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 29, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2) Mychal Givens, right-handed, Baltimore Orioles

2019 stats: 31 games, 1-4 record, 4.50 ERA, 36.0 IP, 51K, 16 BB

Contract situation: Makes $2.15 million this season, under team control through arbitration through 2021.

Mychal Givens started his professional career as an infielder with a cannon for an arm, but he just couldn’t cut it at the plate.

The Orioles made him a pitcher and he’s found great success as such. A mid-90s fastball fuels Givens, and a .217 batting average against combined with a 1.22 WHIP points to him having good stuff this season.

If you’re concerned about his ERA, take away a five-run implosion vs. the Yankees on May 20, and his ERA stands at 3.25.

Over his past 12 appearances, dating back to May 31, Givens has registered a 2.19 ERA. His 16 saves over the past two years gives him some experience closing games.

The upside that Givens provides in addition to his body of work could help the Atlanta Braves. The baseball trade simulator suggests that Givens (3.0 value) and Kolby Allard (3.0 value) could be traded 1-for-1.

3) Austin Brice, right-handed, Miami Marlins

2019 stats: 29 games, 1-0 record, 1.88 ERA, 38.1 IP, 38K, 14 BB

Contract situation: Makes $555,000 this season, under team control through arbitration through 2022.

The Miami Marlins have quietly built a solid relief pitching core. In fact, I could have considered Jarlin Garcia, or flamethrower Tayron Guerrero at this spot.

Austin Brice has a funky three-quarters delivery and has really found himself in 2019 after struggling over his first three stints in the majors.

His bread and butter pitch is a curveball, which borders on slider speeds at 82 MPH. His four-seamer and sinker are both in the 92-94 MPH range.

As good as his overall statistics are, lately, he’s been nearly untouchable giving up just one earned run over his last 15 outings.

Brice’s breakout season and arm would be a welcome addition to the Atlanta Braves pen, with team control to boot.

The baseball trade simulator suggests that Brice (2.9 value) and once again, Kolby Allard (3.0 value) could be traded 1-for-1.

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