Atlanta Braves Face Competition in Pursuit of Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias is not coming back to the Atlanta Braves without other big-league teams making an effort to sign him.

MLB reporter Francys Romero wrote on X that the Braves and Detroit Tigers have both shown interest in the 36-year-old closer. Iglesias is coming off an All-Star season and figures to have a real market this winter.

The numbers back it up. Iglesias went 1-2 with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves and 64 strikeouts across 59 appearances and 60 innings in 2026. He converted 34 of 37 save opportunities, good for a 91.9% conversion rate, and posted a 1.08 WHIP.

He has 287 career saves since debuting with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2015. He did land on the injured list in April with right shoulder inflammation, but he returned and was effective the rest of the way. 

Atlanta has plenty of reasons to bring him back. The Braves had a bounce-back season in 2026, returning to the MLB playoffs and winning the NL East. If they want to keep the core together, it makes sense to bring back Iglesias, who has been a part of the bullpen since 2022.

The Braves have already added Evan Phillips on a three-year, $35 million deal, and Robert Suarez is under contract after signing a three-year deal during the 2025 offseason. Adding Iglesias back would give Atlanta three experienced late-inning arms, though the specific roles would need to be sorted out. 

Detroit is pursuing him for a different reason. The Tigers declined Kenley Jansen's $12 million club option on Nov. 2, leaving them without a proven closer. Jansen recorded 22 saves and a 3.20 ERA last season, but Detroit moved on. Their bullpen struggled to protect leads all year. Iglesias would immediately fill the closing role there. In Atlanta, the team would likely move to a closer by committee at the first signs of struggle.

That is what makes this interesting from Atlanta's perspective. The Braves are not looking for a closer at this point, they are looking to add depth. Detroit actually needs one. Iglesias might prefer a defined role, and Detroit can offer him that more cleanly than Atlanta can right now.

Iglesias turns 37 in January. A long-term deal seems unlikely, but he has earned at least a two-year commitment based on 2026. Atlanta has the motivation of familiarity and contention. Detroit has an open ninth inning. Both are legitimate landing spots.