Braves' Shrewd Trade Deadline Moves to Improve Bullpen Inexplicably Not Paying Off

Once again, the Atlanta Braves came away victorious Wednesday night against the New York Mets, but it wasn't because the bullpen held up their end of the bargain.

With Atlanta leading by four runs in the ninth, the Mets came roaring back and were down two with the bases loaded and just one out. Luckily, the duo of Mark Melancon and Jerry Blevins struck out the next two batters to seal the win, but it was another cardiac moment for this bullpen, especially the newcomers.

Since the Braves acquired Chris Martin, Shane Greene and Mark Melancon before the July 31 trade deadline, Atlanta's bullpen ERA is a whopping 6.92. These guys were brought in to stabilize a youthful, underachieving unit, but instead the problems late in games have gotten worse.

This is what manager Brian Snitker has to work with, so he has to send them out there night after night and hope things turn around.

The odd thing over the last couple of games, if one of these relievers has a good night, one or both of the other newbies can't get anyone out.

Last night, Shane Greene had his best appearance as a Brave, logging a 1-2-3 eighth inning. However, Martin gave up a run in the seventh and Melancon almost blew the game by allowing two runs on four hits in just 2/3 of an inning in the ninth.

The trio have combined for an atrocious 11.15 ERA as members of the Braves.

On the bright side, there's roughly six weeks left in the regular season for them to figure it out before postseason play. All three of these guys are talented and were having really good campaigns before coming to Atlanta. Once roles are established and they get use to being in a pennant race, you have to figure they'll revert back to what made them enticing to the Braves at the deadline.