Yardbarker
x
Three potential offseason targets for the Braves
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Three potential offseason targets for the Atlanta Braves

Major League Baseball's best team hardly has many holes in its lineup. Ronald Acuña Jr. has been one of the best players in all of baseball while both Matt Olsen and Austin Riley would be in the MVP conversation in any other season. 

Expect the club to look at supplementing their core and adding pitching depth this offseason. 

Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

Raisel Iglesias and A.J. Minter give the Braves a reliable duo at the back of their bullpen, but how cool would it be for Kimbrel to finish his career where it all began? He wouldn't necessarily need to be the team's closer at this point in his career but it would provide the club another option late in games. 

Kimbrel has been solid across 68 appearances for the Phillies this season, posting a 3.27 ERA with 23 saves. The right-hander has more than 400 saves in his career while boasting a 0.993 WHIP and more than 1,100 strikeouts in 750+ innings of work. 

Michael Lorenzen, RHP, Philadelphia Phillies

It may not seem like the Braves need starting pitching depth given their collection of arms. Spencer Strider is in the NL Cy Young conversation while Max Fried continues to be a bonafide ace of the rotation when healthy. Keeping everyone healthy is the key, not to mention the uncertain future of Charlie Morton to consider. 

Atlanta won't need to make a pitch to one of the bigger name free agent pitchers this offseason. The club doesn't need someone to step in atop the rotation. That could make someone like Lorenzen an ideal fit. 

The right-hander was putting up strong results in the first half of the season with Detroit, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.098 WHIP en route to his first All-Star appearance, but he's struggled some with the Phillies following a July trade, with an ERA of 5.89. 

Ron Marinaccio, RHP, New York Yankees

Should Atlanta look at adding a middle reliever they'll find options on the free agent market but a trade could bring a more useful solution. Atlanta has the young pitching to potentially make a deal, perhaps even a simple "change of scenery" type deal could be made that would fit both sides in some manner. There are pieces for each side to consider, assuming the Yankees will even entertain moving Marinaccio. 

The 28-year-old right-hander has made 85 appearances out of the Yankees bullpen since debuting last season with a 3.05 ERA and 1.182 WHIP over that stretch. He has another year before he'll be arbitration-eligible and still has minor league options, so acquiring him may not be easy. 

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.