Count Vegas among those who think the Braves could made a significant addition in free agency.
The Braves are among the primary suitors for free agent Wade Davis, according to the odds makers at Sports Betting Dime. Atlanta was listed at 15/1 odds, the fifth-best shot in MLB.
But logically, the Braves won’t be signing an expensive closer prior to the 2018 season.
Davis was part of the Royals bullpen that won the World Series in 2015. He was traded to Chicago last winter, where he put together another All-Star season with a career-high 32 saves in 58 2/3 innings.
The Cubs have other priorities – namely starting pitching – leading some to believe Davis will end up elsewhere. Davis is by far the best closer in free agency, though some teams will prefer to address the need via trade given his expected price tag.
Last offseason’s closer market produced unprecedented numbers. The Dodgers re-signed Kenley Jansen for $80 million. If any closer proved worthy of that salary, it was Jansen.
San Francisco didn’t find that same success with Mark Melancon. Desperate for bullpen help, the Giants committed four years and $62 million to the former All-Star. The 32-year-old went on to have the worst season of his career.
Aroldis Chapman received $86 million from the Yankees, and followed that up with a less-than-stellar 2017.
Davis is likely to command a deal more in Melancon’s range. The Astros are the odds-on favorites at 2/1, following by St. Louis (7/2), Minnesota (6/1), the Cubs (10/1) and the Braves.
But the four teams listed ahead of Atlanta should have more motivation. The Braves are the only non-contender in the top five, which makes their listing all the more interesting.
The dynamic up-and-comer A.J. Minter should also be given a chance to earn the Braves’ closer role, lessing the urgency to add a player like Davis.
The Braves publicly acknowledged they wanted to add bullpen help this winter. Former general manager John Coppolella was adamant that was the team’s chief need, and the new decision maker will likely assess the same.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported the Braves are unlikely to enter the bidding for a big-ticket free agent. If they did, bidding against contenders for a closer would be an unconventional move for a team that’s lost 90-plus games for three consecutive seasons.
Perhaps if Davis was a free agent next offseason, it’d be a different story. For now, don’t expect the Braves to splurge on a bullpen arm this winter.
