With closer Raisel Iglesias expected to seek a two-year deal, Atlanta must decide whether to re-sign him or enter a bidding war for more expensive options like Edwin Diaz and Robert Suarez.
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are facing a critical offseason decision as they will reportedly have to fight to retain a key arm from the back of their bullpen. According to baseball reporter Francys Romero, several teams, including the Braves, are expected to “quickly show interest” in free-agent closer Raisel Iglesias.
Iglesias, 35, is expected to seek a two-year deal. He is coming off a four-year, $58 million contract that paid him $16 million per season. While he might not command that same annual salary, his dominant finish to the 2025 season has positioned him for a solid payday.
After struggling mightily to start the season, Iglesias “clicked” and returned to his reliable form. From June 9 onward, he was one of the best closers in baseball, posting a 1.25 ERA in his final 43.1 innings and winning the NL Reliever of the Month award in August.
A Loaded Closer Market
Replacing Iglesias would be a tall task. In 222 games with the Braves, he posted a stellar 2.35 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP. However, if they cannot retain him, the market has two other elite, high-priced options.
Two of the game’s top closers are hitting the market alongside Iglesias, giving Atlanta potential (though expensive) pivots:
- Edwin Diaz: Opted out of his contract with the New York Mets. The 31-year-old is expected to seek a new “nine-figure” deal, making him the most expensive reliever available.
- Robert Suarez: Opted out of his deal with the San Diego Padres after leading the National League with 40 saves. He is also projected to land a top-tier contract, with market values estimated between $18-20 million per year.
The similar, albeit higher, price tags for Diaz and Suarez could make re-signing Iglesias—who is projected for a deal in the $12-$15 million per year range—seem like the more prudent priority.
Balancing Other Offseason Needs
The decision on Iglesias is complicated by several other pressing needs for the Braves’ front office.
- Shortstop (Ha-Seong Kim): The team’s #1 priority is re-signing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, who opted out of his $16 million player option. The market for shortstops is thin, and the Braves will likely face competition, including from the New York Yankees, to retain him.
- Designated Hitter (Marcell Ozuna): Veteran DH Marcell Ozuna is also a free agent. A return is considered unlikely as the Braves are reportedly looking to use a more flexible, rotating DH spot for players like Sean Murphy and Drake Baldwin.
- Starting Pitching: After losing all five of their opening day starters to injury in 2025, the Braves must add “extra starting pitching depth” to support Cy Young winner Chris Sale.
With significant funds needed to secure a starting shortstop and at least one more reliable starting pitcher, the Braves’ “fight” for Raisel Iglesias will be one of the first and most important battles of their offseason.
