The Atlanta Braves continue to seek help in their bullpen and trade rumors are pointing towards the Chicago Cubs' closer, Kevin Gregg, as a potential target. As reported by beat writer, Mark Bowman, the Braves are amongst multiple teams interested in Gregg's services out of the pen. How useful could he be to the best bullpen in baseball?
The Braves' bullpen has a 2.74 ERA, the lowest in baseball. Gregg can only help the cause as he's posting a 1.42 ERA in 25.1 innings pitched, the sixth lowest ERA among relievers with 25-plus innings pitched so far this season. As a member of the Cubs, Gregg has taken over the closer role as Carlos Marmol could not improve his pitching, therefore designated for assignment earlier this week.
Gregg is expendable for the Cubs since they are not contending in the N.L. Central. They have some of the top young talent in baseball, but they still need a few years of experience and building. This is where the Braves come in. Both of these clubs have swapped players in the past, most recently in a deal that sent Paul Maholm to Atlanta along with Reed Johnson in exchange for Jaye Chapman and Aroldys Vizcaino. The Cubs received young arms for their future and Chapman has already stepped up to contribute to the major league club making 14 appearances out of the bullpen.
The Braves need guys to safely hand the ball over to Craig Kimbrel, one of the top closers in baseball. Entering the season, it looked as though the Braves had an excess of successful relievers. However, following the season ending injuries suffered by Jonny Venters and Eric O'Flaherty, the Braves found themselves vulnerable and in sudden need of relief pitching.
Luckily, Jordan Walden and Luis Avilan stepped up in crunch time. Avilan has a 1.69 ERA in 32 innings pitch, while Walden possesses a 2.45 ERA in 25.2 innings pitched. The Braves would like to get more guys in the mix since they recently experienced burnt out arms in 2011, when manager Fredi Gonzalez overused the bullpen, taxing arms and costing the team's entrance into the postseason.
For Cub fans, the team has James Russell ready, who has pitched well out of the bullpen so far in 2013.
The Braves have time to analyze the situation. As Bowman points out, Gregg is familiar with Gonzalez since the two were together in 2007 and 2008 in Florida.
