Braves get 3.5 mill, paying 2 mill; I'll take it.

Linebrink has posted good K/9 and BB/9 - its his high HR rate that was contributing to his higher ('higher' meaning league-average) ERAs. HR/9 is usually the most volatile component of those three, right? I'd rather take my chances on a reliever who gave up too many home runs, than a guy who doesn't strike people out, or walks too many.

Anyway, I doubt the Braves will miss Cofield, and 1 year/$2 mil for Linebrink is totally reasonable. So I like it.

League average ERA as a reliever is bad. Also, look at his stats by leverage type. He was horrible in the highest and mediocre in the lowest. He serves up quite a few meat balls as his fastball is straight and while he has good velocity it isn't great.

The fact the Sox saved 2.5 million for a replacement level player is great. Maybe he turns it around in the senior circuit, but I highly doubt he's anything other than a fungible middle reliever ever again.

League average ERA as a reliever is bad.

Well, I wouldn't call it bad. League-average ERA isn't bad. It isn't extremely desirable, but it isn't like the guy is Jesse Chavez or anything.

My point was, if you took all relievers who posted league-average ERAs the last two years, and wanted to wager on one who would end up being better than average this year, you'd best bet on someone like Linebrink. He's a good bet to be above average. Not great, no, but for $2 million and a fringe prospect, that's still a nice deal from the Braves' point of view.

His league average ERA as a reliever was worth -.1 WAR. It's replacement level. You could expect to find guys in AAA that can come in and post a 100 ERA+ out of the pen. Sure, he maybe bounce back, there is just no evidence for it other than he's leaving US Cellular and going to the NL. I guess the Braves feel they are a few pieces away though. I don't know enough about their team to say if they are or aren't. I'm just saying counting on Linebrink isn't a good bet IMO.

I'd be surprised if the HR rate doesn't decline. And if it doesn't--he won't be long for the roster.

If there is one thing the Braves are good at, it's getting great seasons from veteran relievers.

I like the deal, the Braves didn't give up a blue-chipper and added some stability/depth in the pen.