The Atlanta Braves are nine games out of a wild card spot, but GM Alex Anthopoulos hasn’t committed to selling at the deadline. That’s left the door open for the Braves to actually add pieces as they try to salvage their postseason hopes.
It’s a deep hole they’ve dug for themselves, no doubt about it. But there’s still time to make up ground, and this is a talented roster that could make some noise if they get hot.
The question becomes what kind of additions make sense. The Braves could be looking for a rental closer after watching Raisel Iglesias struggle this season. He’s lost the full-time closer role with a 4.81 ERA in 36 games – a far cry from his 1.95 ERA last year.
That’s where things get interesting. FanSided’s Henry Palattella thinks the Braves should stay away from Kenley Jansen, despite his Hall of Fame credentials.
“While Jansen has the fifth-most saves in MLB history, it’s still not worth taking the risk on him. He’s on pace for the highest ERA of his career, and is in the 1st percentile in average exit velocity and the 3rd percentile in ground ball rate. In short, people are hitting his pitches hard and they’re hitting them in the air, which is a recipe for disaster.”
The numbers back up that concern. Jansen’s advanced metrics paint a picture of a pitcher who’s getting hit hard and often. When hitters are making solid contact and driving the ball in the air, bad things tend to happen.
What makes this particularly relevant is the Braves’ history with closers. Iglesias came over in a trade after signing a four-year, $58 million deal with the Angels in 2022. Through his first three seasons on that contract, he posted a 2.36 ERA with 84 saves. This year’s struggles show how quickly things can change.
Jansen brings impressive credentials – he’s a four-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. The resume suggests a potential Hall of Famer. But the Braves might be better served finding a more reliable, under-the-radar option.
That’s especially true given their timeline. Even if they decide to buy at the deadline, they’ll likely target moves that help both this year and next season. If they can’t turn things around in 2024, they don’t want to be stuck with another underperforming closer.
