The Atlanta Braves have stumbled out of the gate this season. After dropping their first seven games, they’ve managed to steady the ship slightly, but the early damage still lingers. Even after edging out the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 for their fourth straight win on Monday, the Braves remain tied for last in the NL East with a 9-13 record — a far cry from their World Series expectations heading into the year.
Injuries have wreaked havoc on the starting rotation, with both Reynaldo López and ace Spencer Strider currently sidelined. Offensively, the bats have been sluggish, although there have been some encouraging signs lately. Still, the most glaring issue for Atlanta has been its bullpen — a problem that’s loomed large since Opening Day after GM Alex Anthopoulos opted against major offseason upgrades.
The bullpen’s inconsistency showed up again Monday, as typically reliable closer Raisel Iglesias allowed three runs in the ninth inning, nearly squandering what had been a comfortable lead. With the rotation depleted, the Braves need a rock-solid bullpen now more than ever — and it may be time for a bold move.
Could Ryan Helsley Be the Answer?
Iglesias has had a shaky start, mirroring the rest of the bullpen. Instead of waiting for things to improve internally, Atlanta could look to pull off a high-impact trade with the Cardinals for fireballer Ryan Helsley.
Ryan Helsley
With the Cardinals struggling and trending toward a rebuild, Helsley — in the final year of his contract — is an ideal trade candidate. He’s projected to command close to $100 million in free agency, a number St. Louis is unlikely to meet. That opens the door for a contender like Atlanta to swoop in.
The Braves would be a perfect fit. Iglesias hasn’t looked like the elite closer he’s known to be, and as the Dodgers have proven, there’s no such thing as too much bullpen depth. L.A. currently boasts four pitchers who could all close games — a model Atlanta should emulate.
If the Braves want to keep pace in a competitive NL East, they can’t afford any more late-inning collapses. Acquiring Helsley would go a long way in stabilizing the bullpen — and could be the move that puts them back on a championship path.
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