With the July 31 MLB trade deadline looming, it is becoming clear one Brave will be on the move. Veteran right-handed relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias is currently receiving a lot of attention, and for good reason. Iglesias' expiring contract makes the bullpen arm a high-value target as teams look to secure their bullpen for a postseason run.
As the status of the Braves' 2025 season is shaping up for Atlanta to become sellers instead of buyers at the upcoming trade deadline, the front office, led by GM Alex Anthopoulos, is already putting teams on notice for available talent. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier in the week that the Braves have informed teams of Iglesias’ availability, along with DH Marcell Ozuna, and fellow right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson.
Raisel Iglesias' Days as a Brave Are Numbered
For contenders in the market for bullpen help, Iglesias is fast becoming a target. Jim Bowden of The Athletic reported the Detroit Tigers as a viable option as the American League leaders in wins look to secure their roster behind dominant starter and AL Cy Young favorite Tarik Skubal. Other teams likely to be in the buyer's column who could have their eye on the right-handed arm could be the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cleveland Guardians, among others.
The eleven-year veteran started his career with the Cincinnati Reds in 2015 and featured a small stint with the Los Angeles Angels before landing in Atlanta in 2022, when he signed a four-year $54 million deal. During Iglesias’ four-year run with Atlanta in 193 appearances, he had a 2.61 ERA with 79 total saves. However, Iglesias’ 2025 has seen a dip in his numbers, posting a 5.12 ERA and 11 saves so far this season.
This slight falloff in production is likely to be a small deterrent to teams on the market, with many teams looking at his numbers as a possible way to get him for a cheaper price than if he were performing on average. For Anthopoulos and the Braves front office, offloading the right-handed reliever should be as simple as knowing your price, as the option for trade partners is currently wide open.