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Could Iglesias Become the Giants Next Closer?
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- Could Iglesias Become the Giants Next Closer?
(IMAGN Images via Reuters Connect)
The San Francisco Giants know that if they want to improve in 2027 and beyond, they're going to need a reliable closer.
Manager Tony Vitello went through quite a few arms to close out games this season, but now Raisel Iglesias is a name to monitor for next season.
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The San Francisco Chronicle 's Susan Slusser pointed out that the 36-year-old is a free agent, and while he'll be 37 by the start of next season, he's a proven closer, and that's all that matters.
Not only is Iglesias a proven closer, but he's coming off one of the better years of his career.
The biggest thing with these free agent names is the price has to be right, but for San Francisco's sake, they can't worry about money as this is a team that nearly blew 30 games a year ago.
Giants could bring in Iglesias as a rental
In order to get some fresh veteran faces into the organization, it feels like a one-year deal for Iglesias is the right move.
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He's fresh off a one-year, $16 million contract with the Atlanta Braves , though he will likely have some loyalty to the team as he's been with them since 2022.
Money talks , though, and it would be incredibly surprising to see the Giants keep their pockets closed come free agency.
Sure, the Giants have a solid young core that got a good chunk of playing time in '26, but that didn't exactly result in a ton of wins.
By bringing in Iglesias, he could help some of those middle-inning relievers, and also be the reason why the Giants win more than 65 games.
For reference, Iglesias tied his career high with 34 saves this year. The Giants only had 30 as an entire team, and no individual player finished with more than eight.
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Prior to his one-year deal, Iglesias was under a four-year, $58 million contract. There's no scenario where a soon-to-be 37-year-old closer is demanding that type of money, and it would be silly for the Giants to pay someone that much at this stage in their career.
That said, there seem to be a ton of benefits to bringing in Iglesias. Even if things wouldn't work out with him as the closer for the entire season, he can help make everyone better, as seen by the fact that he's never been a negative WAR player throughout his 12 years in the big leagues.
