Braves predicted to sign $13M Rookie of the Year, Reliever of the Year to replace Raisel Iglesias originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Atlanta Braves are looking to bounce back with a season that makes 2025 easily forgettable. The Braves never found their rhythm this past year, and that was due to a variety of factors. The bullpen remained a major red flag throughout the season, and closer Raisel Iglesias became one of the more discussed names regarding a potential return.
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“When Atlanta didn’t trade Raisel Iglesias this season, some fans wondered if this was a sign the closer would stick around beyond this year. Well, he could have been traded and still re-signed this offseason. But now, he could just be re-signed,” Braves insider Mark Bowman wrote.
Anything is possible for the veteran closer, but if the Braves do bring him back, it likely won’t be on a long-term deal. In fact, there is growing belief that he might not return at all.
“We can’t be sure that Iglesias’ going rate won’t balloon to a point that makes Anthopoulos squeamish. The Braves typically lock up their guys ahead of time to avoid the pricey competition of the open market, so the fact that Iglesias is hitting free agency—even after surviving the trade deadline, against all odds—does not bode especially well for the Braves’ odds of keeping him,” FanSided’s Christopher Kline wrote.
With Iglesias likely departing, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly believes Devin Williams could replace him as the team’s closer.
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“Devin Williams’ contract year didn’t go well, and 2025 will turn out to be his lone season with the Yankees. Relievers, though, are such a year-to-year proposition. Plenty of teams will be happy to bet on a bounce-back season from Williams, who seemed on a Hall of Fame trajectory when he posted a 1.89 ERA between 2019 and 2023,” Kelly wrote. “The Braves—likely to let Raisiel Iglesias walk in free agency—could provide a chance for Williams to reestablish himself, much like Kenley Jansen did during his one season in Atlanta in 2022.”
When Williams is at his best, he is one of the top relievers in the game. If the Braves can unlock that version of him, this move could end up being one of the most under-the-radar additions of the offseason.
However, there is real risk after the season he just had with the Yankees. Anything can happen over 162 games, but with the Braves eager to return to the postseason, this is a deal they may need to pursue aggressively.
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