Braves could sign $102M rival flamethrower with 258 career save signaling Mets 'worst nightmare'

The Atlanta Braves face several key decisions this offseason, especially when it comes to free agency. However, their main priority right now is finding the next manager of the organization. There are many directions they could go in, but once that’s settled, the focus will shift to whether players like Raisel Iglesias should return.

“Iglesias has actually pitched himself back into the conversation for sticking around. He might have gotten that chance due to poor performance putting a dent in his trade stock, but he showed, regardless, that he's as good as he's ever been,” SI’s Harrison Smajovits wrote.

Typically, if the Braves plan to retain a player, they negotiate an extension during the season. Iglesias did go through a rough stretch, which might have delayed that process.

“We can't be sure that Iglesias' going rate won't balloon to a point that makes Anthopoulos squeamish. The Braves typically lock up their guys ahead of time to avoid the pricey competition of the open market, so the fact that Iglesias is hitting free agency—even after surviving the trade deadline, against all odds—does not bode especially well for the Braves' odds of keeping him,” FanSided’s Christopher Kline wrote.

If Iglesias ends up walking in free agency, the Braves could make a surprising play for Edwin Díaz.

“Finally, we come to the bullpen. A reunion with Raisel Iglesias is possible, but going after Edwin Diaz and giving Mets fans nightmares sounds like a good idea either way. Diaz bounced back in 2025 with a 1.63 ERA in 62 appearances. He would have to opt out to make this a possibility and New York almost certainly will make a strong push to keep him, but Diaz is the type of lock-down reliever that this Braves' bullpen needs,” HTHB’s Eric Cole wrote.

A deal for Díaz would be a massive move for Atlanta. Not only is he a power pitcher, but he’s also one of the most difficult relievers to hit when he’s on his game.

It might seem far-fetched, but there’s a real chance this could happen—and if it did, Anthopoulos would outdo himself with one of the boldest moves of his tenure.

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