If there’s one constant in Major League Baseball, it’s bullpen volatility. Relievers rise and fall faster than players at any other position, which is why the Hall of Fame has rarely welcomed them with open arms. One year a reliever can be lights-out, the next he’s scrambling for a roster spot. That unpredictability makes the relief market ripe for savvy front offices—and the Atlanta Braves may have a golden opportunity to capitalize.
With the 2025 season exposing cracks in Atlanta’s bullpen armor, the Braves could find value in a surprising name: 2023 All-Star closer Alexis Díaz of the Cincinnati Reds. Recently demoted following a disastrous start to the season, Díaz now stands out as a potential buy-low trade candidate—exactly the kind of calculated risk Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is known for pursuing.
A Bullpen in Need of Reinforcement
Atlanta’s bullpen has taken on a different shape in 2025. Key veterans like Raisel Iglesias have stumbled, and the departure of Joe Jiménez has left a noticeable void. While several young arms are getting their shot, the bullpen has lacked a dependable right-handed presence, especially in high-leverage situations.
That’s where Díaz enters the conversation.
A Rough Start, But Proven Upside
The Reds sent Díaz down after a miserable opening stretch: a 12.00 ERA, a staggering 14.22 FIP, and -0.5 WAR over just six innings pitched. His strikeout numbers are down, his velocity is dipping, and opponents are teeing off on his fastball, which now carries a .597 expected slugging percentage—up drastically from .275 just a season ago.
Still, it’s important to remember the context. Díaz strained his hamstring shortly before Opening Day and may not have fully recovered by the time he was thrown into action. For a two-pitch pitcher who relies heavily on his fastball-slider mix, lacking full health can unravel everything quickly.
And when healthy, Díaz has shown elite potential. His 2023 campaign put him among the best in the league in strikeout rate and swing-and-miss stuff, evoking shades of his brother, Mets star Edwin Díaz.
A Classic Buy-Low Opportunity
This situation screams “low-risk, high-reward.” The Reds may be motivated to move on, and Díaz’s current value is at rock bottom. That opens the door for a team like Atlanta—one in need of bullpen help but unwilling to overspend—to make a smart, measured move. Anthopoulos doesn’t need Díaz to be the 2023 version overnight, but if even part of that All-Star form can be rediscovered, the Braves could strike gold.
The key, of course, is cost. Atlanta shouldn’t part with any significant prospects, but if Cincinnati is open to a modest return, this could be an ideal project for the Braves’ pitching development staff.
Relievers fall. Relievers rise. In Alexis Díaz, the Braves might just find the next bullpen bounce-back story—if they’re bold enough to believe.
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