3 remaining free agent relievers the Atlanta Braves should consider signing
The Atlanta Braves should consider signing these three relievers ahead of Spring Training.
Up to this point in the offseason, the Atlanta Braves have already made a few notable moves to help improve their bullpen, one that was already among the best in baseball.
Not only will the Braves see the return of Tyler Matzek in 2024, but Atlanta has also added the likes of Aaron Bummer and Reynaldo Lopez to a group that brings back familiar faces such as Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Joe Jimenez, Pierce Johnson, and Dylan Lee.
An already loaded group, could the Braves potentially add to their bullpen before spring training is set to begin as well? Well, if they choose to do just that, here are three current free-agent relief pitchers that they should consider signing.
3 free agent relievers the Atlanta Braves should consider signing
RHP Jesse Chavez
We begin with an Atlanta Braves fan favorite in Chavez, who has spent time with the club each of the last three seasons, each of which he owned an ERA under 3.00. A veteran reliever who has pitched in some big moments with the organization recently, Chavez is coming off a 2023 season in which he owned a 1.56 ERA and 39:12 K:BB ratio across 34.2 IP, and would be an experienced & familiar option should the Braves need to add an arm to the bullpen.
RHP Ryne Stanek
Another veteran right-hander that could be an intriguing option is Stanek, who has a notable amount of postseason experience across the last three seasons with the Houston Astros, owning a career 2.70 ERA across 20 IP in October. Stanek is coming off a 2023 season in which he held a 4.09 ERA and 51:21 K:BB ratio across 50.2 IP with the Astros, which was a year after the 32-year-old posted a 1.15 ERA across 54.2 IP with Houston in 2022.
He relies on a 4-seam fastball, a splitter, and a slider to get outs on the mound. His fastball velocity was in the 96th percentile in 2023, sitting at an average of 98 mph. According to his statcast profile, his whiff percentage sits at 30.7% which ranks in the 82nd percentile amongst the league.
Stanek is no stranger to the NL East as he spent time with the Miami Marlins from 2019-2020. Stanek struggled a bit while there but Houston is where he found his stride and became one of baseball's best relievers. He would be a welcome addition to the Atlanta bullpen.
RHP Jakob Junis
We conclude with yet another right-hander in Junis, who is coming off one of the best seasons of his career with the San Francisco Giants. Across 86 IP, the 31-year-old owned a 3.87 ERA and 96:21 K:BB ratio and a potential signing of Junis would give Atlanta another multi-inning relief option who also has a notable amount of MLB starting experience.
Now, these aren't the "best" options available to add to the Braves bullpen but they are great under-the-radar options that would add great depth to the bullpen. You can never have enough pitching depth.
These three options are exactly the kinds of moves that Alex Anthopoulos likes to make. There is still some time remaining before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training so anything can happen between now and then.
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