Atlanta Completes Bullpen Overhaul

Just days after signing free agent pitcher Billy Wagner the Atlanta Braves have continued their bullpen overhaul. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com is reporting that the Braves are close to a $3 million, one-year deal with Takashi Saito (Mark Bowman of MLB.com just announced it as official). So in just a matter of days the Braves lost their top two relievers but yet quickly replaced them.

Saito struck out 52 batters in 55+ innings for the Red Sox in 2009, with a 2.43 ERA. For a setup pitcher you aren’t going to get much better then that.

I’d have to say I really like the moves the Braves have done with the bullpen this offseason. Saito and Wagner are both injury prone aging veterans, but if they stay healthy the moves could be huge for this season and the future of the Braves.

When it comes to Saito and Wagner, the Braves spent a total of $10 million for one season. If the Braves had kept Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, two of the best relief pitchers in the game, they would have had to spend more money this season and actually had to offer up multiple year contracts. Something the team wanted to stay away from.

Saving money isn’t what I like the most about this deal thou. It’s how the Braves went about doing business that I like. They offered arbitration to both Gonzalez and Soriano, knowing that it’s highly unlike either would come back, guaranteeing themselves four draft picks in 2010 as both are Type A free agents.

Knowing that they’d get draft picks in return gave them the ability to move quickly in signing Wagner, who is also a Type A free agent. The Braves now have to give the Red Sox their first round pick, but thanks to Gonzalez and Soriano they know they’ll still get first round picks themselves.

So all in all, the Braves spend $10 million for one season, should gain two first round picks and two supplemental picks and all they do is give up is their own first rounder.

The key thou is Saito and Wagner staying healthy. IF both do, then the Braves are in good shape for 2010 and beyond thanks to good decision making. If that continues they could be back in the National League East hunt sooner then later.