Evolving on fly, bullpen provided boost in ’16

ATLANTA — One of this year’s most interesting developments was the evolution of a Braves bullpen that transformed from a liability to an asset that didn’t need much tinkering during this offseason.

Courtesy of Jim Johnson’s rebound, a sound acquisition of Chaz Roe and the emergences of both Mauricio Cabrera and Jose Ramirez, the Braves suddenly found themselves exiting this past season with enviable bullpen depth. Now, they can only hope the late-inning dependability this group ended up providing was not an aberration.

The Braves’ only significant offseason addition to the bullpen mix was completed when they selected Armando Rivero from the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft. Rivero will be given a chance to be part of a season-opening eight-man relief corps that could also include a healthy Arodys Vizcaino, Johnson, Roe, Cabrera, Ramirez, Ian Krol and a long reliever (Josh Collmenter and John Danks are the top two options).

Given where the Braves were in May — when they were actually giving Bud Norris a shot to serve as their setup man — they certainly didn’t anticipate entering the offseason feeling so good about their bullpen, which posted the National League’s fifth-best relief ERA (3.49) after June …

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