MLB trade news: Braves get Shane Greene, Mark Melancon to boost bullpen

Marc Lancaster

MLB trade news: Braves get Shane Greene, Mark Melancon to boost bullpen image

The Braves bullpen blew a save in Washington on Wednesday, but help is on the way. 

Atlanta has acquired closer Shane Greene from the Tigers and Mark Melancon from the Giants, the team announced, giving the Braves their second and third veteran bullpen additions in 24 hours.

Reports earlier on deadline day had indicated it might be down to the Braves and the Nationals in the race for Greene's services, but Washington swung deals to acquire relievers Daniel Hudson, Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland in the meantime, clearing the way for Atlanta to nab the Detroit All-Star. 

The Dodgers and Athletics also had been mentioned in connection with Greene in recent days, with the reliever seemingly destined to move on from a Tigers team that entered Wednesday with the worst record in the majors at 31-72 (.301). 

Greene, 30, has been spectacular in bouncing back from a rough 2018, posting a 1.18 ERA in 32 relief appearances while saving 22 of those 31 Detroit wins. He is making $4 million this season and is under team control through next year. 

Melancon, 34, has been used mostly in a setup role since joining the Giants in 2017 but was a three-time All-Star as the Pirates' closer before that. He's signed through 2020 at $14 million annually. 

Atlanta already has added one veteran arm ahead of the deadline, acquiring reliever Chris Martin from the Rangers on Tuesday for minor league pitcher Kolby Allard. 

In return for Greene, the Tigers get Double-A left-hander Joey Wentz and Triple-A outfielder Travis Demeritte, while the Giants got right-handers Tristan Beck and Dan Winkler for Melancon. 

Marc Lancaster

Marc Lancaster Photo

Marc Lancaster joined The Sporting News in 2022 after working closely with TSN for five years as an editor for the company now known as Stats Perform. He previously worked as an editor at The Washington Times, AOL’s FanHouse.com and the old CNNSportsIllustrated.com, and as a beat writer covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Cincinnati Reds, and University of Georgia football and women’s basketball. A Georgia graduate, he has been a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2013.