The Atlanta Braves are trying to join the list of teams making moves before the trade deadline. Their focus continues to be relief pitching, preferably a left-handed arm to join the best bullpen in baseball. Here is a list of all the candidates the Braves have shown interest in as the deadline is now exactly a week away.
James Russell
He's been on the Braves' radar for about a month now. Russell pitches for the Chicago Cubs and though they have struggled in 2013 posting the seventh worst winning percentage in baseball, he has been successful this season. He is 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. One thing Russell has proven is that he can't close ball games, but this shouldn't be a problem as the Braves have one of the best closers in baseball in Craig Kimbrel. Russell has blown all six save opportunities in 2013, but he has 16 holds.
Oliver Perez
Also previously rumored on the Braves' radar is former New York Met, Oliver Perez. He's excelled out of the Seattle Mariners' bullpen after many in the N.L. East saw his career deteriorate in his final years as a Met. Working exclusively out of the bullpen role, Perez is 2-2 with a 1.98 ERA, 1.24 WHIP to go along with four holds and two saves in 2013. With 50 strikeouts in 36.1 innings pitched, Perez is posting a whopping 12.4 K/9 Ratio.
Scott Downs
Though 37 years of age, Downs is having a great season as a member of the Los Angles Angels' bullpen. After posting the worst numbers for his career after becoming a reliever in 2012, Downs has bounced back and is posting the best numbers amongst the pitchers drawing the team's interest. Downs is 2-2 with a 1.24 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He isn't a strikeout machine like Perez, but he has a decent 6.7 K/9 Ratio. Downs has two blown saves and 18 holds in 2013.
Mike Dunn
How crazy would it be if the Braves could re-acquire their former reliever Mike Dunn? The Miami Marlins appear to have him on the trading block and the Braves could use his help. Dunn, like Downs, has bounced backed after struggling in 2012. This season, the Marlins' lefty is 2-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He's struck out 42 batters in 44.1 innings pitched. Dunn has one save in three opportunities while holding 13 games.
Charlie Furbush
The youngest guy on the Braves' radar is Furbush. He is teammates with Perez in Seattle. This is his second season as a reliever for the Mariners, going 2-4 with a 3.35 ERA, but posting a 1.07 WHIP. Furbush has dominated hitters, recording 57 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched for a 12.7 K/9 Ratio. Similar to Russell, Furbush has also not been successful closing games. He's blown three saves, looking more comfortable as a middle reliever, recording 10 holds in the season.
All of these relievers are left-handed, which makes perfect sense for Atlanta since their main lefties, Eric O'Flaherty and Jonny Venters are out for the season. Though the Mariners are currently in third place, 10 games back in the A.L. West, chances are they won't trade anybody despite rumors that they will be sellers, as they are in the midst of a eight-game winning streak.
