The Atlanta Braves upgraded their defense and stabilized the back of their bullpen with a pair of transactions late Wednesday.
First, they announced they’d retained closer Raisel Iglesias on a one-year, $16 million deal. Then they announced they’d acquired Gold Glove utility player Mauricio Dubón in a trade with the Houston Astros. The Braves sent infielder Nick Allen to Houston in return for Dubón.
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The deal with Iglesias ensures they’ll retain their closer of the last three seasons. Iglesias was a free agent whom Yahoo Sports ranked as the 45th-best player available on the market.
Raisel Iglesias has a one-year, $16 million deal to remain with the Braves.
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What Iglesias offers
Iglesias, who will be 36 next season, had his worst season in Atlanta, with a 3.21 ERA, 73 strikeouts and 16 walks in 67 1/3 innings pitched. He tallied 29 saves.
Iglesias had posted a 1.95 ERA and 34 saves in 2024 and a 2.75 ERA and 33 saves in 2023 in his two full seasons with Atlanta. But much of Iglesias’ relative struggles in 2025 came at the front end of the campaign.
Iglesias allowed six home runs across his first 25 appearances last season and had a 6.75 ERA in early June. He finished the season from there with a 1.25 ERA over the course of 43 1/3 innings while allowing just two more home runs. Atlanta’s surely hoping that’s the version of Iglesias who shows up in 2026.
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Why Braves traded for Dubón
In Dubón, the Braves obtain a versatile utility player who just secured his second Gold Glove.
Dubón, 31, is capable of playing at a high level in the infield and outfield. He played 15 games or more at each of second base, shortstop, third base and in the outfield last season in 133 games and thrived across the board, earning his second Gold Glove in three seasons.
At the plate, Dubón slashed .241/.289/.355 with 7 home runs, 33 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 2025. He’s a career .257/.295/.374 hitter across seven MLB seasons.
In Allen, the Astros acquire a four-season veteran who was a third-round pick in the 2017 MLB Draft. Allen, 27, slashed .221/.284/.251 with 22 RBI and 8 stolen bases in 135 games played primarily at shortstop. He did not hit a home run and has nine for his career. He was a Gold Glove finalist at shortstop.
