Braves praised for $45 million signing of two-time All-Star and Raisel Iglesias

The backend of the Atlanta Braves bullpen could be one of the best in the Major Leagues this upcoming season. 

At the very least, the potential is there after re-signing Raisel Iglesias and agreeing to a three-year, $45 million contract with flamethrower Robert Suarez. 

"By re-signing Raisel Iglesias (1/$16M) and adding Robert Suarez (3/$45M), the Braves have assembled a one-two punch at the back of the bullpen that stacks up to any in baseball," Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote Monday.

"They also now have an in-house replacement in the closer's role if the 36-year-old Iglesias decides to hang it up after 2026." 

Suarez is a two-time All-Star and led the National League with 40 saves with the San Diego Padres in 2025. 

The Braves' top move of the offseason 

At almost 35 and 36, Suarez and Iglesias will be one of the older eighth and ninth-inning duos this season. 

Reuter lists adding Suarez as Atlanta's top move of the offseason. The native of Venezuela didn't make his MLB debut until his age 31 season in 2022 with the Padres. Before then, he spent five seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers. 

Suarez's average fastball velocity (98.6 mph) last season ranked in the 97th percentile among qualified pitchers. Opposing hitters compiled a poor .155 batting average against the pitch - something the Braves would love to see continue. 

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