Post by : Maya Rahman

The Atlanta Braves have made significant moves this offseason, confirming the re-signing of their closer, Raisel Iglesias. Announced on Wednesday, Iglesias has signed a one-year contract valued at $16 million. The 35-year-old just wrapped up a four-year stint with the Braves during which he earned $16 million annually. With Iglesias being their primary target, the team aimed to secure a dependable closer.

Iglesias experienced a slight dip in performance during the 2025 season compared to his 2024 stats, seeing his earned run average (ERA) increase to 3.21 from an impressive 1.95 a year prior. Although his first half of 2025 was challenging, featuring a 4.42 ERA across 39 games, he rebounded strongly. From July 28 onward, Iglesias converted 18 consecutive save opportunities, closing the season with 29 saves in 34 attempts, marking the longest successful save streak in Major League Baseball.

A noticeable change in Iglesias' strategy was his decreased use of the slider and changeup. In 2024, these pitches constituted 52% of his arsenal, dropping to just 38% in 2025, correlating with their diminished effectiveness. Nonetheless, Iglesias remains one of the premier closers, ranking third in reliever Wins Above Replacement (WAR) since 2017, with 11.8, trailing only Edwin Diaz and Josh Hader. He is also second in saves in that timeframe with a total of 247, just shy of Kenley Jansen.

Alongside retaining Iglesias, the Braves bolstered their infield by trading for Mauricio Dubon from the Houston Astros, sending Nick Allen in the opposite direction. Dubon, a 31-year-old recipient of two Gold Glove awards, is renowned for his defensive prowess as a utility player. In the last season, he participated in 133 games with the Astros, hitting .241 while securing his second Gold Glove, adding to his 2023 accolade.

Dubon, who earned $5 million in 2025 and is arbitration-eligible, will be a free agent post the 2026 World Series. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos emphasized Dubon’s versatility, stating he can cover various infield positions and even outfield spots. His role may also be affected by future roster changes, particularly regarding potential shortstop acquisitions. Anthopoulos has described Dubon as a valuable addition that enhances roster flexibility.

Nick Allen, traded to Houston, is 27 years old and will also be making his first appearance in arbitration, with potential free agency commencing after the 2029 season.

Raisel Iglesias began his journey with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed him as an international free agent from Cuba in 2014. He debuted in 2015 and quickly emerged as a standout closer for the Reds. Following a four-year, $58 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels, where he finished 11th in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2021, Iglesias was traded to Atlanta at the 2022 trade deadline. Over his four seasons with the Braves, he has accumulated 97 saves, maintaining a record of 15-12 and a 2.35 ERA.

The re-signing of Iglesias coupled with the acquisition of Dubon showcases Atlanta's commitment to addressing key offseason needs. With Iglesias solidifying the closer position and Dubon enhancing defensive depth and versatility, the Braves are now better equipped for a competitive run in the 2026 MLB season.

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