Braves Confirm Raisel Iglesias Returns on $16M Deal

UPDATE: The Atlanta Braves have just announced that veteran closer Raisel Iglesias will return for the 2025 season on a one-year, $16 million deal. This urgent move comes after Iglesias hit free agency following a season where his ERA climbed to 3.21, compared to an impressive 1.95 in 2024.

Iglesias, now 35, has been a pivotal player for the Braves over the past four seasons, securing 97 saves with a 2.35 ERA and a 15-12 record. His performance was notable despite a slight dip last season, marking a significant transition in his pitching strategy. In 2025, Iglesias reduced his reliance on his slider and changeup, with those pitches accounting for just 38% of his total throws, down from 52% in 2024.

The shift in strategy was highlighted by a drop in effectiveness, as his pitch value ratings plummeted from a positive +13 runs in 2024 to a negative -10 runs in 2025, as per Baseball Savant’s run value metrics. This change illustrates the evolving dynamics of Iglesias’s approach and the Braves’ confidence in his ability to rebound.

Since becoming a full-time closer in 2017, Iglesias ranks third in Major League Baseball for reliever WAR with 11.8 and is second in saves with 247, trailing only Kenley Jansen. His journey began with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed him as an international free agent in 2014, before he moved to the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 on a lucrative four-year, $58 million contract.

This deal is a crucial step for the Braves as they prepare for the upcoming season, reinforcing their bullpen with a proven closer. As the team gears up for what promises to be an intense 2025 campaign, fans are eager to see how Iglesias will adjust and perform after a challenging past season.

Next, all eyes will be on how Iglesias adapts his pitching style and whether he can reclaim his top form. With the Braves retaining one of their key players, the anticipation builds for the season ahead, making this a pivotal moment in their offseason strategy.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Braves finalize their roster for the upcoming season.