3 Braves roster holes and how the team should fill them this offseason
By Tim Boyle
2. Atlanta Braves rumors: Move Raisel Iglesias to the ninth, sign two more setup men
The Braves have a minor hole at the closer spot. Free agent Kenley Jansen has left. Fortunately, there’s already a player on the roster to fill it. Raisel Iglesias is the perfect replacement for Jansen. He’s already here, has experience in the ninth, and might actually have a more promising season ahead of him than Jansen and many of the other choices out there.
By having Iglesias secure the closer spot, Atlanta can turn their attention to other areas of the bullpen. Signing a pair of setup men would be the move to make. Who are some of the candidates?
David Robertson can provide the Braves with a safety net in case Iglesias underperforms or gets hurt. Adam Ottavino is another free agent they can pluck from a rival and potentially move to the ninth if needed. Then there’s a pair of ex-Detroit Tigers from last season, Andrew Chafin and Michael Fulmer. Both would make sense to end up with the New York Mets or Philadelphia Phillies. Atlanta, with fewer holes to fill than those two clubs, should swoop in as soon as possible.
Atlanta has been able to build some successful bullpens in recent years. Iglesias is the answer they should go with at the closer spot. Take advantage of already having him here and improve their chances in the sixth, seventh, and eighth with a bolstered relief corps.