The Atlanta Braves have officially announced the signing of left-handed pitcher José Suárez to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, avoiding the arbitration process with the reliever ahead of the non-tender deadline.
The agreement secures a depth arm for the Braves’ bullpen, though the move was somewhat of a surprise as Suárez was widely viewed as a candidate to be non-tendered.
Contract Details
- Term: One-year contract for the 2026 season.
- Salary: Suárez will reportedly earn 900,000$ for the 2026 season (Source 1.1). This figure is below his projected arbitration salary, marking a cost-saving move for the Braves.
bullpen depth and upside
Suárez, acquired by the Braves from the Los Angeles Angels in early 2025, represents a low-cost attempt to add stability and upside to a bullpen that the Braves’ front office has signaled it intends to overhaul this winter.
- 2025 Performance: Suárez had an uneven 2025 campaign but finished the season strongly after being reinstated from the Injured List. He finished his season with the Braves with a respectable 1.86 ERA over 19.1 innings in seven total appearances, including one late-season start (Source 1.8, 2.4).
- The Upside: The Braves are betting on the upside of the former starting pitcher, who still has the arm strength and command potential to be an effective long reliever or a middle-innings option from the left side. The team views him as an inexpensive reclamation project who put in the work to improve after initially struggling earlier in the year (Source 2.2).
- Roster Status: Suárez does not have minor-league options remaining, meaning he will occupy a spot on the Major League roster or be subject to waivers if the Braves attempt to send him down (Source 2.4). This places pressure on him to perform well during Spring Training.
The agreement follows several other deals the Braves struck to avoid arbitration, including those for Mauricio Dubón and Vidal Bruján, as the team works to finalize its 40-man roster.
