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3 Braves moves to make after losing Kenley Jansen to Red Sox

By Cody Williams

Oct 1, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts with relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) after the Braves defeated the New York Mets at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2022; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) reacts with relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) after the Braves defeated the New York Mets at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Braves Kenley Jansen
Adam Ottavino. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Adam Ottavino would be a perfect fit for the Braves bullpen

One thing that I and others have suggested previously is a potential reunion between the Braves and veteran reliever Craig Kimbrel. While The Kraken wasn’t nearly as mighty in 2022 with the Dodgers as he had been previously, he’s still a solid arm out of the bullpen with a ton of experience and who could potentially be revived in a set-up role ahead of Iglesias.

Even so, the better option for the Braves would be looking to someone like Adam Ottavino instead. After spending last year with the rival Mets, Ottavino doesn’t have the name-brand value that someone like Kimbrel does but might actually be a more reliable set-up option for Atlanta as they shuffle things around in the bullpen.

After a solid 2021 season in Boston that suffered a bit due to the overall lack of bullpen strength (and playing in Fenway for home games), Ottavino was a stud in New York as he accrued a 2.06 ERA over 66 appearances while posting a 0.975 WHIP and an ERA+ of 188, the third-best mark of his career.

Ottavino will be 37 years old next season, so he might come as a value signing. Moreover, he doesn’t preclude Atlanta from also still getting Kimbrel, but Ottavino is a more reliable option based on recent history and could be one of the more underrated pickups of the offseason if the Braves could pull it off.

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