Braves Bullpen Shakeup: What Does Jake Diekman's Signing Mean for Atlanta? 

The Atlanta Braves have made some intriguing moves this offseason, adding veteran left-handed reliever Jake Diekman on a minor league deal. With his experience and a career that spans nearly 700 games, Diekman is looking to find a role in a bullpen that already features Aaron Bummer and Dylan Lee. But the question is, can he bounce back from a tough season with the Mets, where he struggled with both walks and velocity?

As we gear up for Spring Training, let's dive into the implications of these signings. With the addition of Diekman, along with Chad Kuhl and Dylan Covey, the Braves are clearly prioritizing depth in their pitching staff. But how do you feel about the strategy of bringing in multiple veterans? Is this a sign of confidence in their young prospects, or does it indicate a lack of faith in their current roster?

Moreover, with the return of Angel Perdomo from injury, the competition for spots in the bullpen is heating up. Who do you think will emerge as the key lefty in the Braves' bullpen? Will Diekman reclaim his form, or is it time for a younger arm to step up?

Let’s also talk about the broader implications of these moves. The Braves are in a competitive division, and every decision counts. Do you think these veteran signings will be enough to push the Braves over the top this season? Or do they need to make a bigger splash to solidify their chances for a deep playoff run?

Share your thoughts, bold predictions, and any experiences you have with these players in the past. How do you see the Braves' pitching staff shaping up as we head into the 2025 season?

The Braves are definitely playing the long game with these offseason moves, and honestly, I don’t hate it. Bringing in someone like Jake Diekman on a minor league deal is classic low-risk, potentially solid-reward. Yeah, he struggled with command and velo last year with the Mets, but this is a guy with almost 700 games under his belt. If he figures it out, even just a little, that’s a reliable lefty arm you didn’t have to pay much for.

Same thing goes for Chad Kuhl and Dylan Covey—these aren’t headline-grabbing signings, but they tell me the Braves are serious about having a safety net. They’re not betting the farm on young arms needing to be perfect right out of the gate. It’s about building a bullpen that can survive a 162-game grind and be ready for October.

That said, I do think it shows some concern about the depth they have right now. They clearly don’t want to be caught short if someone like Bummer or Dylan Lee hits the IL. And with Angel Perdomo returning from injury, there’s no guarantee he’s going to be dominant right away. So yeah, there’s definitely a “just in case” vibe with these pickups.

As for who emerges? I’m rooting for Diekman because I think he still has something left in the tank if the Braves can help him with mechanics or tweak his pitch mix. But I wouldn’t sleep on someone like Ray Kerr or even one of the young guys from the minors making a splash during camp.

In terms of whether these moves are enough, I’d say it depends on how the core performs. The Braves don’t need a huge splash if Acuña, Olson, Riley, and the rest are doing their thing. But if the rotation runs into injuries or the offense stalls, that’s when you’ll wish they had one more big arm or bat.

So yeah—solid depth moves overall, and I'm cautiously optimistic. What about you—are you feeling confident with the bullpen the way it’s shaping up? Or do you think we still need one more high-leverage guy to feel truly playoff-ready?