Skip to content

Report: Braves' Vizcaino drawing intense interest

Mike Zarrilli / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Atlanta Braves are expected to receive more than a few phone calls about Julio Teheran as the trade deadline approaches, but it looks like they'll have plenty of suitors for Arodys Vizcaino, too, as the 25-year-old closer is already drawing intense interest, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Re-acquired by the Braves ahead of the 2015 campaign, Vizcaino earned the ninth-inning role this spring following a strong performance down the stretch last year, and the young right-hander continues to cement himself not only as Atlanta's best reliever, but as one of the top bullpen arms in the National League.

After fashioning a 1.60 ERA over 36 appearances in 2015 (he was suspended for the first half of the season for testing positive for PEDs), Vizcaino owns a 2.08 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP in 31 appearances this year, converting eight saves in 10 chances while managing the eighth-best strikeout rate (33.6 percent) among NL relievers. Over parts of four seasons in the majors, Vizcaino boasts a 2.61 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP, notching 102 strikeouts while allowing just five home runs in 89 appearances.

Vizcaino, who signed with the New York Yankees in 2007 as a 16-year-old, will only become eligible for salary arbitration for the first time next season, and remains under team control through the 2019 campaign.

It remains unclear which teams are interested in Vizcaino - who, Heyman notes, is "probably" drawing the most interest of any Braves player - but several teams with designs of postseason contention could use help in the bullpen, including the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Toronto Blue Jays.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox