The Atlanta Braves front office made an odd decision this week, opting to bring back closer Raisel Iglesias on a one-year $16 million deal. This is bringing back a piece of a bullpen that was a liability in what was a dumpster fire of a 2025 season. Opting to sign up for another season of Iglesias as the team's closer is a bit odd when you look at what the Braves underwent in the first half of the season.
Prior to the MLB All-Star break, Iglesias was a clear liability, giving up 18 earned runs in 39 appearances and taking five losses due to the inability to lock down innings. This resulted in a 4.42 ERA and forced the Braves to go with a closer-by-committee strategy. One that turned back to Iglesias based on a sheer lack of remaining options.
With that said, Iglesias did turn around after the All-Star break with a 1.76 ERA and 18 saves in the final 31 games, turning the clock back into the version of himself he was before the early-season struggles. Still, there is no denying the risk the Braves are taking in paying the closer in belief that the first half of the season was a clear outlier.
Braves Are Rolling the Dice with Raisel Iglesias Re-Signing
Atlanta's front office opting to pay the closer so early in the offseason suggests there is zero concern that the version of Iglesias that helped implode the season is what the team will get moving forward. This does seem a bit of a leap when you consider the veteran reliever will be 36 years old when the 2026 season begins.
Not only is the right-hander getting up in years, but Iglesias is coming off the most inconsistent season of his Atlanta tenure. After all, it was only in 2024 when he finished with a 1.95 ERA while matching his career high of 34 saves. Unless that's the version of him on the mound next year, opting to pay top-dollar for his return is an undeniable risk that sets the Braves' bullpen up for a repeat of the 2025 struggles. If Atlanta is going to move forward with Iglesias as the closer, other bullpen moves will be needed before winter is over.
Atlanta needs to bring in late-inning arms that the franchise can quickly pivot to if Iglesias were to repeat last season's struggles. Free agency will have some available options, and there's always the trade market to turn to.
With that said, it does make a level of sense to bring back Iglesias with how well he pitched after the All-Star break. If he can bring that success into 2026, the Braves' outlook will immediately be brighter. At the same time, if he flounders, it's going to be another long year for the Atlanta bullpen.