Braves Shouldn't Overlook Bullpen Need While Pursuing Starting Pitching

If not for the emergence of Luke Jackson as a somewhat steady closer, the Atlanta Braves bullpen could already be at or near DEFCON 2 or 3 level. Currently, their bullpen consists of starters masquerading as relieves (Sean Newcomb, Josh Tomlin, and Touki Touissant), underperforming arms who can't find the strike zone (AJ Minter, Jerry Blevins), and everything in between.

For a team with championship aspirations, this bullpen can't continue in the state it's in right now.

While injuries to Kevin Gausman and just plain bad performance from Mike Foltyniewicz have prompted the Braves to put feelers out there for starting pitchers, they shouldn't neglect the bullpen.

One possible option that has been thrown out there is Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene. While he would be a fine addition, the Braves need even more than that.

It's been proven over the last few years that your team needs either an incredibly deep bullpen that comes at you in waves, like the 2015 Royals or 2017 Astros, or that one dominant ninth inning closer who can slam the door shut on wins, like Aroldis Chapman on the 2016 Cubs or Craig Kimbrel on last year's Red Sox.

With apologies to Jackson, the Braves have neither of those, and need to offload some top prospects to bring in the best bullpen arms in the league.