The Atlanta Braves followed up their signing of outfielder Mike Yastrzemski with a blockbuster deal for free agent closer Robert Suarez. ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan is reporting that the deal was three years for $45 million. As exciting as the news is, it's also surprising after the Braves already re-signed last year's closer, Raisel Iglesias, earlier in the offseason.
With that in mind, it seems that the returning closer is being put on notice.
Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Iglesias is going to start the season as the closer in Atlanta. While the veteran's role might be safe for now there is no question that this is a warning. One that promises the Braves will make a move to demote Iglesias if last season's early struggles were to make another appearance. Now, the Braves have an arm they can trust and quickly pivot to if things go awry.
Braves' Robert Suarez Signing Puts Raisel Iglesias on Notice
Last season, with an average San Diego Padres roster around him, Suarez put together a National League-leading 40 saves and was reliable for the Padres, also posting career highs in WAR (2.3), innings (69 2/3), strikeouts (75), and WHIP (.904) en route to his second consecutive All-Star nod.
Meanwhile, Iglesias had a completely different season with the once-dominating closer struggling prior to the 2025 All-Star Break, consistently blowing saves and unable to stop giving up extra-base hits. He saw his saves drop from 34 to 29 despite playing four more games this season, while his 3.21 ERA was the third-highest effort of his 11 MLB seasons.
Now, the Braves are prepared for any struggles from Iglesias and have the ability to put the right-handed reliever back into a familiar role. When Atlanta first acquired the reliever in the 2022 season, the franchise already had proven closer Kenley Jansen in the ninth-inning role. Iglesias was used as a setup option before becoming the full-time closer the following season. It seems that signing Suarez is making it clear that this is once again on the table.
This is a great problem for new manager Walt Weiss to have with a bullpen capable of turning to two proven closers. While it is nice to retain Iglesias, this signing does send a clear message that he will be demoted to a setup role if there is any hint of the struggles faced a season ago. It
Rewinding the clock a season ago, the only noteworthy move the franchise made was signing outfielder Jurickson Profar. This has already been outdone not only by signing Suarez but also by opting to bring back last season's closer as well.
This offers a bullpen that was among the league's most inconsistent a season ago, an incredible upside. With that said, it is understandable if Iglesias has feelings about this move, ranking 38th all-time in saves with 253 throughout his career. A number that will only continue to grow if the closer is able to put aside last season's struggles and become the best version of himself.
Suarez's signing is exactly the type of move Atlanta needed to make and a warning shot to other players who underachieved in the 2025 season. Even after being re-signed, it is clear Atlanta doesn't trust Iglesias in the role and is focused on building out a roster capable of returning to 2026 relevance.