The Atlanta Braves had a clear goal going into Wednesday’s MLB Trade Deadline. The NL East division leaders look like a sure thing to make the playoffs going into the season’s final two months, but their pitching staff was in need of an upgrade.
The Braves were unable to acquire any starting pitching, but they were successful in their pursuit of bullpen help after acquiring Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene and San Francisco Giants reliever Mark Melancon.
The club acquired Greene in exchange for minor league prospects Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte, while they sent prospect Tristan Beck to San Francisco in exchange for Melancon.
While the Braves’ bullpen is one of baseball’s ten best in terms of ERA, the team has struggled closing games lately and preventing opposing runs from scoring after their starters leave the game. July was a terrible month for Atlanta’s ‘pen, as it posted the third-worst mark in baseball with a 5.76 earned run average.
Greene ranks second in baseball for relievers with a 1.18 ERA this season, and he’s also saved 22 games. He appeared in the All-Star Game with the American League squad. Melancon has been reliable for the Giants, posting a 3.50 ERA in 43 outings.
Combined with their Tuesday trade for former Rangers reliever Chris Martin, Atlanta feels good about its 6.5 game division lead over the Nationals and Phillies as well as their chances in the playoffs come October.
