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ANALYSIS: It's official, the Braves will be issuing ticket price rebates to their fans after their latest attempt to field a AAA team in the NL East in 2015. What are we referring to you ask? Only the breaking news that Craig Kimbrel has been traded to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster trade made on the eve of the 2015 MLB season opener.
Forget about the rest of the trade details because we now have to deal with Jason Grilli being the speculative new closer for the Atlanta Braves. Since they did not receive a closer back in the deal, we assume that the pecking order from within their current bullpen will go something as follows: Jason Grilli, Jim Johnson and Luis Avilan. You can see our full MLB closers & saves depth charts updated here.
This spring, Grilli has looked much like the old man closer Joe Nathan was post Tommy John surgery in 2011 (his first year with the Rangers). The former Pirates closer has the experience and has the spring training peripherals to give his team a chance at ninth inning success, posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP to go along with 11 strikeouts in 8 innings pitched.
Net, net, bottom line, we can't guarantee anything, but we have our money on the Jason Grilli horse before the start of this particular race on the eve of the 2015 fantasy baseball season. Jim Johnson was putrid last year, and it would be a big surprise to see the Braves turn to him as their new closer. If Grilli is available on your waiver wire, immediately add him or put in a modest bid with your FAAB.
Check out RotoBaller's entire fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and sleepers list, updated daily!
