The Braves got swept by the Arizona Diamondbacks this week. Sweeps happen. It will happen again. But it's the way that this one happened that has so many people upset, and understandably so, becuase all three losses were due to the bullpen giving up runs.
The popular hot-take: SIGN CRAIG KIMBREL.
This isn't necessarily the answer. Don't get me wrong, Craig Kimbrel is a good (not great) player at this point in his career and would be a great help, but the not the solution that fans think that he would be. While his price is coming down, and almost to a reasonable rate, his velocity is down and his control in recent years has not been what it once was.
In the three losses to the Diamondbacks the Braves gave up eight runs in the seventh inning alone. EIGHT, in three innings.
Last time I checked, Craig Kimbrel wasn't even a two-inning reliever, much less three. What would be the point of signing a $50 million+ closer if you can't even hand him a lead? There's no doubt that the Braves bullpen needs some help, but they may have to look internally.
Sam Crenshaw dives more in to this on Weekend Mornings...
