The Braves have made it clear this offseason: they're not standing pat when it comes to the bullpen. While much of the early conversation focused on potential upgrades at shortstop and in the rotation, those who follow Atlanta closely knew the bullpen was going to get serious attention.
And it has. The reunion with Raisel Iglesias was expected, and the addition of Robert Suarez was a strong, savvy pickup.
But perhaps the most intriguing development? The Braves reportedly made a real run at Edwin Díaz-and they weren’t just kicking the tires.
According to a report from ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, Atlanta was one of the teams that pursued Díaz aggressively, even putting a five-year contract on the table. That’s a significant offer-especially for a reliever-and it signals just how committed the Braves were to potentially adding one of the game’s most electric closers to their already formidable bullpen.
In the end, Díaz chose the Dodgers, signing a three-year deal worth $23 million annually. The Braves, by contrast, reportedly weren’t willing to meet the $20 million-plus AAV Díaz was seeking.
That lines up with what we know about how Atlanta typically operates. They value flexibility and cost control, and while they’re not afraid to spend, they tend to draw the line at certain thresholds.
Their deal with Suarez, which came in at $15 million per year, fits that mold.
Still, offering Díaz five years is a bold move. That kind of term for a reliever is rare, especially for a pitcher entering his age-31 season.
It’s not quite on the level of Josh Hader’s deal with the Astros, but it’s in the same ballpark in terms of guaranteed money. And for Díaz, the security of a five-year pact had to be tempting-even if the annual value wasn’t quite where he wanted it.
Just imagine it: Díaz and Iglesias locking down the eighth and ninth innings. That’s a nightmare scenario for opposing lineups and, frankly, for Mets fans, who would’ve had to watch their former star closer take the mound in Atlanta. The ripple effect of that move would’ve been felt all over the NL East.
Instead, Díaz heads west to Los Angeles, and the Braves roll into 2026 with a bullpen anchored by Iglesias and Suarez. That’s still a strong duo, and it gives Atlanta a reliable back end that can shorten games and take pressure off the rotation. The missed opportunity with Díaz stings a bit, especially with the Dodgers landing him, but the Braves aren’t walking away empty-handed.
Meanwhile, the Mets losing Díaz is just one piece of what’s becoming a rough offseason in Queens. For Atlanta, it’s a case of what could’ve been-but also a reminder that this front office isn’t afraid to take big swings when the right opportunity presents itself.
Bottom line: the Braves were close to pulling off something big with Díaz. They didn’t land him, but their bullpen still got better. And if Suarez delivers the way Atlanta expects, this group could still be one of the toughest late-inning units in the league.