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Should Braves Re-Sign Raisel Iglesias?
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- Should Braves Re-Sign Raisel Iglesias?
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Atlanta Braves will have a huge decision to make regarding their bullpen this offseason with veteran closer Raisel Iglesias set to enter free agency upon the conclusion of the playoffs.
The right-hander out of Cuba wrapped up his fourth full season as a Brave posting a 2.55 ERA while striking out 64 batters and recording 34 saves across 59 games and 60 innings pitched.
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Iglesias turns 37 in January and with that, an important question is worth being brought up. Should the Braves still bring him back in spite of his age?
One argument could be made that Iglesias kept Atlanta in so many games this year and has been the heart of their bullpen ever since they traded for him during the 2022 season from the Los Angeles Angels.
He only allowed three hits and a single earned run while fanning two batters during the Braves' playoff campaign even though it was cut short in the NL Division Series by the back-to-back defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
Iglesias also had one of his strongest outings near the end of the regular season, holding the Cincinnati Reds scoreless and recording three punchouts to hand Atlanta a 3-2 extra innings win on Sept. 23.
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Still, the Braves must consider the possibility of Iglesias' natural regression that might come with him getting older. Relievers also tend to be the most volatile players in baseball due to the little reps they get during games and while Iglesias has managed to remain consistent over the years, it's only a matter of time before Father Time catches up and things go south.
Even then, losing Iglesias would sting given his track record of dominance and health as he only suffered one notable injury at the beginning of the season that was his first since 2023.
Should Iglesias walk away, the Braves already have another closer in the waiting. Robert Suárez comes to mind after the 35-year-old inked a three-year, $45 million deal with Atlanta during the 2025 offseason after spending his first four major-league seasons with the San Diego Padres.
Over a small sample size of 33 games, Suárez compiled a 1.06 ERA with 26 strikeouts and four saves. He is also not that far removed from a career-high 75 strikeouts that he recorded during his final season with San Diego.
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21-year-old standout Didier Fuentes could also get a chance to take over Iglesias' role following an impressive year of his own.
Besides deciding on Iglesias' future, the Braves will have their attention on retaining other key pieces like starter Tyler Mahle whom the club acquired at the deadline from the San Francisco Giants.
