May 10, 2021
680 THE FAN, ATLANTA – This Braves bullpen needs help! It’s not for ineffectiveness, but for the impending wall if they continued down their current path. 

The bullpen ERA is 4.56 and that has them 11th out of 15 teams in the National League. They’ve thrown over 125 innings of pitches through 34 games. Those numbers show this group needs help. 

The good news, is that you’re getting help on the way. You have to expect that Chris Martin will join this group soon. More importantly, you get a great option back in Shane Greene. 

The Braves signed Greene on Sunday to a one-year, prorated deal. He’s immediately heading to Triple-A Gwinnett, in order to get ready for a return to the major league club. 

You have to tip your hat to the job that Tyler Matzek, AJ Minter, Will Smith and the rest of this bullpen have done to this point. The truth is, they’re not good enough as currently constructed to help this team win the National League East and get back to the postseason. The numbers tell you that. 

Greene is a huge help to give this team a chance at getting back to the National League Championship Series. He was a key part of the team who made a run last season, with his 2.60 ERA in 28 appearances in 2020. Losing Mark Melancon hurt. Not having Greene around has proven to hurt them at times as well. 

This signing is every bit as strong as making a huge trade at the MLB deadline in July. It seems to come at a perfect time, as the Braves offense seems to be coming to form. 

The good news is that we’re approaching the middle of the second month of the season and you’re in striking distance of the NL East lead. You still have not played your best baseball. 

You’ve had some bright spots on this roster at times. Plus, you’ve had some players you’re counting on, who have yet to find their stride. 

It is refreshing to know that the commitment is there to make this team as competitive as possible in 2021. This will not be the last move needed, in order to make a strong push for a World Series title. 

It will be great to get Mike Soroka back for the months where you need to play your best baseball. If he’s Mike Soroka, that is like making another strong trade for this team. 

The fact that you’re not going to have Travis d’Arnaud around for much of the season, might make me interested in adding another strong offensive catcher through a trade. The same goes for a starting rotation arm, if you don’t start getting better results consistently out of Charlie Morton or Drew Smyly. 

This season is the one, where the Braves need to make “The Trade,” if it presents itself at the deadline. I am talking something like the Astros did in 2017 to get Justin Verlander. You’ve got the prospects. If presented, pull the trigger. This team is good enough. The fans are ready to be champs again.