Should the Atlanta Braves target Matt Moore for the Bullpen?

With free agency looming, there are several questions this offseason for the Atlanta Braves. The biggest being the shortstop position. Of course, there is also those that desire the likes of Jacob deGrom or Carlos Rodón in a Braves uniform. Additionally, what do the Braves decide to do in left field? However, an area that is sometimes overlooked is the bullpen. We all know the value of a good bullpen. An under the radar name that popped up was Matt Moore.

Is Matt Moore a good fit for the 2023 Atlanta Braves?

It makes sense. Moore is a veteran that looks like he has revived his career as a bullpen arm in Texas. In 74 innings as a reliever in 2022, Moore had a 1.95 ERA, 2.83 xERA, 2.98 FIP, 3.87 xFIP, & 3.69 SIERA. This includes a 27.3% strikeout rate but does include a 12.5% walk rate. Additionally, the baseball savant profile agrees that Moore had a solid year. Here are some of the metrics:

• .187 xBA- 94th percentile
• .288 xSLG- 94th percentile
• 31.3% hard-hit rate: 93rd percentile
• 4.4% barrel %- 91st percentile
• 31.1% whiff %-85th percentile

It seems that in his move to the bullpen he went to a primary fastball/curveball approach that featured a changeup as a solid third pitch. In fact, his curveball usage really spiked, going from 15.3% in 2021 to 38.2% in 2022. He also cut the cutter from his arsenal in 2022. The three-pitch mix worked for Moore out the bullpen:

• Fastball: .179 BA, .179 xBA, .358 SLG, .310 xSLG, .302 wOBA, .289 xwOBA, 26.6% whiff, 21% put-away
• Curveball: .217 BA, .208 xBA, .242 SLG, .279 xSLG, .238 wOBA, .250 xwOBA, 29.5% whiff, 19.9% put-away
• Changeup: .111 BA, .143 xBA, .139 SLG, .254 xSLG, .167 wOBA, .233 xwOBA, 45.7% whiff, 22.4% put-away

It all worked for Matt Moore in 2022. The biggest question is will it transfer to 2023 or was it an outlier year? Relievers are volatile, but are always in demand, so a team will take a shot on Moore. Could it be the Braves?

Maybe. One reason could be that he is a lefty and the Braves lost a southpaw in Tyler Matzek for 2023. The Braves do have AJ Minter and Dylan Lee on the roster still but might want to bring in another left-hander to replace Matzek. Minter is used in big situations rather than as a lefty specialist which leaves Lee as the guy in other situations that might be called on for an out against a left-handed batter. Adding a third lefty as a precaution in case Lee regresses could be ideal. Moore was solid against batters from both sides of the plate, but this could be something that peaks the Braves interest.

Another reason is Moore could serve as a left-handed Collin McHugh. McHugh was in used in big situations or in times when the Braves needed more than one inning from a reliever. Matt Moore could provide the same value, giving the Braves two guys that can get more than 3 outs from the “arm barn.”

It would depend on the cost, but I see how there could be some interest. Matt Moore made $2.5M in 2022 and with a good year will want to make more. However, without a proven track record out of the bullpen, it will limit his earnings potential. Spotrac projects him at $3.3M and Fangraphs has him at $5M. Since we compared him to McHugh, it is important to note that the Braves gave him a two-year $10M deal. I do not think Moore would get the exact same deal but maybe something near $4M for a season with a club option could work.

There are bigger storylines to follow for the Braves this winter. We all know the value of a good bullpen though and Alex Anthopoulos has placed a value on having a reliable pen in recent years. It was not too long ago the Braves bullpen was a rollercoaster when the door swung open. I think the Braves will look to add at least one bullpen arm this offseason. Matt Moore could be a candidate.