Atlanta Braves: A belated 2018 offseason wish-list

Costly RP: Greg Holland, Free Agent

While I don’t see the Atlanta Braves in any rush to sign an expensive free agent reliever, it’s been rumored that Greg Holland has shown interest in the club. Atlanta’s bullpen was an emotional rollercoaster in 2017, and a guy like Holland would be a great addition to help keep games under control in the late innings.

Between 2011 and 2014, Holland owned a 1.86 ERA across 256.1 innings and was easily one of the most dominant relievers in the game. After a down year in Colorado (of all places to pitch) during which he still led the NL with 41 saves, I’m confident that Holland will return back to his dominant form away from Colorado.

Spotrac has Holland’s market value at $13.3 million, but after seeing former Royals teammate Wade Davis ink a deal for over $17 million a year, I’d say Holland could command close to $15 million a year. If I’m the Atlanta Braves in negotiations with Holland, I would offer him a three-year, back-loaded deal for $42 million, with a club option after the 2018 season.

Moderately-Priced RP: Tony Watson, Free Agent

Tony Watson has been one of the more under-the-radar relievers over the past few seasons. Since 2013, the lefty has posted a 2.43 ERA along with just a 1.054 WHIP in 358.2 innings, and you can’t ask for much better from a non-closer.

Watson’s career 2.5 walks per nine innings have me drooling over the fact that he’s a free agent, as I feel like he’d be a wonderful, affordable addition to the Atlanta Braves’ bullpen. He’s entering his age-33 season, and after a rocky start to the 2017 season, seemed to return back to his dominant form when the Pirates traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

I’ve got Watson earning $8 million a year on a two-year deal because not many teams want to lock a reliever down too far into his thirties without first seeing how he ages into his mid-thirties. If Watson can repeat what he’s done for the past five years, he’ll be a steal at $8 million.

Cheap RP: Kelvin Herrera, Kansas City Royals

With just one year left before free agency, and coming off of a down year, Kelvin Herrera may available via trade for virtually next to nothing. Herrera posted a 4.25 ERA in 59.1 innings in 2017, but that’s nowhere near consistent with the career 2.63 ERA he owned heading into the season.

From May 14th through July 1st, Herrera owned a 6.35 ERA in 18 appearances, and opposing hitters had a ridiculous .407 BABip against him. This rough patch was one of the main reasons his ERA soared above his career average in 2017, and I don’t think Herrera and his electric fastball will run into similar issues in 2018.

If I’m the Atlanta Braves, I would offer Dustin Peterson and Tyler Pike to the Royals for Herrera. Peterson has shown potential at times, and Tyler Pike is entering his make-or-break 2018 season in Double-A but was promising with high-A Florida in 2017. This is an offer that ultimately, the Royals should and likely would accept.