Braves Bring Back Their Closer for 2026

Braves Re-Sign Raisel Iglesias to One-Year Deal

Iglesias’ 2025 Season

Iglesias, 35, is coming off a rocky 2025 campaign. It was marked by inconsistency and uncharacteristic blowups for a pitcher known for late-inning dominance. In 2025, Iglesias posted some of the highest ERA and WHIP figures of his career, and stretches of diminished command raised questions about whether the Braves would pivot to a younger option or explore the free-agent market for a replacement. Instead, Atlanta chose continuity — betting on Iglesias’ strong track record, elite swing-and-miss potential, and the belief that his down year was more an outlier than a sign of decline. It also helps that Iglesias improved in the second half, with a 1.76 ERA compared to a 4.42 ERA in the first half.

Iglesias’ Dominance

Since arriving in Atlanta at the 2022 trade deadline, Iglesias has been a key late-inning weapon, recording dozens of high-leverage outs and anchoring a bullpen that has powered multiple postseason runs. Even in a down year, his underlying metrics remained competitive, with a strong strikeout rate, solid chase numbers, and limited hard contact suggesting room for a rebound.

For the Braves, this move signals confidence in their core while also prioritizing short-term flexibility. A one-year deal at $16 million avoids long-term risk while keeping the ninth inning in familiar hands as Atlanta continues to shape its roster. With the club firmly in win-now mode, retaining Iglesias provides stability—and gives the Braves time to evaluate internal relief depth and potential future closers.

As the offseason heats up, Atlanta’s decision to bring back Iglesias adds another spark to a rapidly moving MLB winter.