It seems that fellow Braves fans have become fewer and far between since the team basically decided to tank and trade away most of the talent left in Atlanta over the last few years.
But here I was, talking to Jimmy Herring about the Braves’ early season so far, and somehow or another we began talking about the closer position, which is right now occupied by Arodys Vizcaino.
Young Braves fans know of Craig Kembrel. I personally remember names like John Rocker, Mark Wohlers, Alejandro Pena, Billy Wagner and even John Smoltz for a period of time closing out games in the '90s and early 2000s.
Looking at the Braves bullpen this year, it's safe to say they lack any proven late-inning options. Vizcaino is holding down the position as I mentioned earlier and has the most experience of the bunch closing out games.
In his short career, he's converted 34 of 44 save chances with a lifetime 3.19 ERA. Those aren't bad numbers, and by the numbers alone, Viz should be the Braves' current closer.
Numbers don't always translate into what the eyes tell Braves fans that have watched Vizcaino for years. That same eye test tells you that his confidence can easily be shaken when things don't go his way.
Basically, it’s the complete opposite of the job description for a Major League closer.
He hands out walks like candy on Halloween, especially in high leverage situations, evident by the seven he's handed out already this year.
The closer's mentality is something that you must have to be successful in MLB, so if Vizcaino has it, he's doing his best to hide it. Now, all of this isn't to say that he shouldn't be on the roster.
He brings velocity and an approach that would best benefit the team coming out in the seventh or eighth inning. Viz lacks that mental edge to be a closer in my opinion. An edge bordering on overconfidence, one that Braves fans were spoiled to see for years from Kimbrel.
Vizcaino is a solid bullpen piece, but one who isn't suited for the role of a closer on a contending team. And I'd like to think that could be the Braves this year.
In fairness, he is an upgrade over last year's closer Jim Johnson - who single-handedly kept the Braves from reaching .500. But Viz is still far from the shutdown arm the Braves need in the ninth inning.
Who could replace him? Rookie A.J. Minter's name has come up internally because of his fearless approach on the mound. Perhaps the Braves are in a position come July to trade for an established name that could put the team over the edge.
Regardless of how the Braves choose to address the problem, Vizcaino isn't the answer at closer. It's a reality Atlanta will have to face soon as long as Viz remains the closer.
