The Braves have already made one big bullpen splash this winter, but that doesn’t necessarily close the door on another familiar face.
After Atlanta signed former Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips to a three-year, $35 million deal, rumors started swirling about a possible shift in the late-inning pecking order. One scenario had Raisel Iglesias moving on in free agency, Phillips sliding into the setup role and Robert Suarez taking over closing duties. But a new report from Francys Romero says Atlanta still has its eye on bringing Iglesias back.
“Raisel Iglesias has drawn interest from multiple teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Detroit Tigers, per sources,” Romero wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
That leaves the Braves with a decision to make as they look for their next move. If they do re-sign Iglesias, he would likely stay in the closer role, with Phillips and Suarez handling the 7th and 8th innings.
Iglesias, 36, put together a strong 2026 season and earned his first career All-Star nod. He posted a 2.55 ERA in 59 appearances and converted 34 saves. By any measure, he remains one of the top closers in the game.
Atlanta would not be hurting for bullpen talent if it managed to keep Iglesias in the fold alongside Phillips and Suarez. That kind of group would give the Braves one of the strongest relief units in baseball. It also fits with the way Atlanta’s bullpen helped power the club’s 2021 World Series run.
Romero’s report also made clear that the Braves won’t have a clear lane to a reunion. He noted that “multiple teams” are in the mix, with the Tigers specifically named as well. However this plays out, Iglesias appears positioned to land a solid contract.
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