Jason Grilli’s season ending injury was just icing on the cake for a bullpen that has struggled mightily this season. While Jim Johnson will assume closing duties and is more than qualified to do so, the Braves still needed more help at the back end of their bullpen. It’s a shame, because things were looking to be headed in the right direction for the bullpen. Grilli and Johnson have been great in the backend. Arodys Vizcaino has looked great so farsince returning from suspension. Manny Banuelos, Josh Outman, and Andrew McKirahan are all options to supplant Luis Avilan’s LOOGY role. Even David Aardsma has turned into a nice find. However, Grilli’s absence had be addressed if the Braves are serious about competing in 2015. John Hart has maintained his stance that the team will not part with young assets for a temporary bullpen fix. While the deadline is nearing and the asking price for relief help is diminishing, the Braves have found one option that can help immediately on the open market.
This man is Jason Frasor, who was just granted his release by the Kansas City Royals. It’s hard to knock him for that, the Royals have one of the best bullpens ever this season. Frasor put up a 1.54 ERA with the Royals in 26 appearances. No, that’s not a typo. Why would they just DFA and release a guy like that? Well as I said, the team has no shortage of bullpen help. The knock on Frasor this year is his high 5.8 BB/9 rate. His strikeout numbers are also down a bit. The walks aren’t encouraging, but Frasor is an established veteran at 37 who has a track record of success. The Braves own the second-worst bullpen in the league with a 4.40 ERA. Roger McDowell, meet Jason Frasor. This is a great signing by John Hart.