San Diego Padres pitcher Robert Suarez. Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Braves building elite pitching staff with signing of Robert Suarez

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Dec 11, 2025 2:43 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves are showing they're not messing around and will give the Philadelphia Phillies a good run for the National League East after finishing fourth in the division (76-86) for the first time since 2015.

To do so, the Braves are building a strong back-end of the bullpen, first by re-signing reliever Raisel Iglesias (one-year $16M), and now by adding the best closer on the market, Robert Suarez. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Braves and Suarez are finalizing a three-year contract worth $45M.

Second in saves (40) to the Kansas City Royals Carlos Estevez (42), Suarez was the second-best back-end reliever on the market and became the top choice of teams once RHP Edwin Diaz signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers (three-year $69M).

Suarez, who will be 35 in 2026, went 4-6 with a 2.97 ERA and struck out 75 batters in 69.2 innings. Suarez has also been elite in the postseason, having a 3-3 record with a 2.45 ERA and three saves in 12 appearances, and his only blunder was letting up a go-ahead home run to Bryce Harper in Game 5 of the 2022 NLCS.

BREAKING: Closer Robert Suarez and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2025

The Braves' adding Robert Suarez gives them an elite pitching staff that rivals the Phillies

The Braves had an okay starting staff in 2025, ranking 22nd in ERA (4.48), but dealt with a few injuries and had a somewhat better bullpen, ranking 19th (4.19 ERA). Healthier heading into 2026 and led by 2024 Cy Young Award winner Chris Sale, the Braves look to have one of the strongest pitching staffs in baseball.

Following Sale, the Braves' starting staff will feature RHPs Spencer Schwellenbach (3.09 ERA), Spencer Strider (4.45), Hurston Waldrep (2.88), and a fully healthy Reynaldo Lopez, who missed all of last season due to injury. All these pitchers are capable of going six or seven innings apiece, which will give the Braves a chance to win a ballgame, and new manager Walt Weiss a sense of calm knowing Iglesias and Suarez are there to close things out.

Between Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta now has two of the five relievers with the most saves over the last two seasons. With a healthy Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider, plus a full season of Hurston Waldrep, their pitching could take a huge leap.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2025

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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