Since 1990, the Atlanta Braves have benefited from some of the best seasons produced by closers in MLB history. Hi there, John Smoltz and Craig Kimbrel, Hall of Famer and a possible Hall of Famer.
On the other end of the spectrum, there were seasons where the team tried to rely on Dan Kolb and Chris Reitsma.
Between those two extremes were a collection of seasons that found long-term, primary closers few and far between. Included in this group of closers were several fantastic trade-deadline additions, some multi-year relievers who assumed the closers role for a season or two, multiple prospect who had a shot at closing and a few relievers who found themselves thrust into a closer’s role unexpectedly.