UPDATE: The Atlanta Braves have just confirmed that veteran closer Raisel Iglesias will return for the 2025 season on a one-year, $16 million deal. This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a significant move for the team as they look to strengthen their bullpen.
Iglesias, 35, enters the new season following a mixed performance in 2024, where his ERA rose to 3.21 after an impressive 1.95 ERA in the previous year. Over his tenure with the Braves, Iglesias has established himself as a formidable closer, amassing 97 saves, a 15-12 record, and a stellar 2.35 ERA.
The 2025 season saw Iglesias adjusting his pitching strategy, notably reducing his reliance on his slider and changeup from 52% of his pitches in 2024 to just 38%. This shift in approach significantly impacted his performance, with both pitches dropping in effectiveness according to Baseball Savant‘s run value metrics, which plummeted from a positive +13 runs in 2024 to a negative -10 runs in 2025.
Since stepping into the closer role full-time in 2017, Iglesias has ranked third among all relievers in WAR with 11.8, trailing only Edwin Diaz and Josh Hader. He also ranks second in career saves with 247, just behind Kenley Jansen.
Iglesias began his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds after being signed as an international free agent in June 2014. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and quickly became a standout player for the Reds before moving to the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 on a lucrative four-year, $58 million contract. He wrapped up that season ranked 11th in the AL Cy Young Award voting. Iglesias later joined the Braves through a trade at the 2022 deadline.
The Braves’ decision to retain Iglesias is critical as they prepare for the upcoming season, solidifying their bullpen and ensuring they have a reliable closer in high-pressure situations. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Iglesias adapts and responds after a challenging year.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Braves continue to shape their roster ahead of the 2025 MLB season.
