ATLANTA — Nearly four months after opting not to trade Raisel Iglesias, the Braves were happy to announce the veteran closer will be back in Atlanta next year.
Iglesias signed a one-year, $16 million contract with the Braves on Wednesday night. The 35-year-old reliever’s return stands as the first significant move Atlanta has made during what could be a very active offseason.
The Braves crossed a significant need off their to-do list by extending their relationship with Iglesias, who has been with Atlanta since being acquired from the Angels at the 2022 Trade Deadline. There will still be a need to add a few more relievers, but securing one of the game’s top closers was one of Atlanta’s priorities.
Iglesias struggled at the start of last season, posting a 6.75 ERA through his first 25 appearances. But he returned to form with a 1.25 ERA over the next 45 appearances (43 1/3 innings) that followed.
The turnaround led to Iglesias being named NL Reliever of the Month for August after he allowed just one run all month. In fact, that run was the only one he allowed over his final 27 appearances of the season, recording a 0.34 ERA during that stretch.
He ended up producing a respectable 3.21 ERA over a career-high 70 appearances.
Though there was little chance of Atlanta making the postseason, the Braves opted not to trade Iglesias before the July 31 Trade Deadline. There was immediately reason to wonder if this might aid the club’s attempt to re-sign the right-hander when he hit the free-agent market.
Iglesias converted 67 of 75 saves while posting a 2.30 ERA over 124 appearances from 2023-24. He will enter the 2026 season with 253 career saves, tied with Edwin Díaz for fourth most among active pitchers.
