5 free agent targets for the Atlanta Braves
By John Buhler
Tyler Clippard, New York Mets relief pitcher
Before shooting this idea down in flames because the Atlanta Braves routinely beat up on him when he pitches against the club, signing Tyler Clippard could help bolster the awful Atlanta Braves’ bullpen. Clippard last pitched for the New York Mets and is best known in Braves Country as the setup man for years with the Washington Nationals.
Clippard is a two-time National League All-Star and has a career 1.089 WHIP and a 138 ERA+. He has a career 2.88 ERA and averages 9.8 strikes out per nine innings, while walking 3.7. Since the bullpen became disastrous, not including new closer Arodys Vizcaino, a pitcher like Tyler Clippard could and both some experience and some legitimacy to the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen.
Since Clippard spent most of his big league career in the National League East, he would have a great understanding of how to attack hitters on the Miami Marlins, the New York Mets, the Philadelphia Phillies, and of course the Washington Nationals.
Getting a veteran right-hander in the bullpen of Tyler Clippard’s caliber would help solidify a seventh or eighth spot for the Braves. Middle relief remains a colossal issue for the club, but fixing the 7-8-9 guys seems like the first step in rectifying Atlanta’ relief woes. There is nothing worse than having a leaky bullpen. Perhaps Clippard is a reasonable solution in the back-end for Atlanta.
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