Raisel Iglesias Renews with the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have secured the renewal of their star closer, Raisel Iglesias, with a one-year contract for $16 million, thus fulfilling one of their offseason priorities. The official announcement was made on Wednesday, confirming the continuity of the 35-year-old right-handed pitcher, who had previously completed a four-year, $58 million contract. In addition to Iglesias’s renewal, the Braves have acquired two-time Gold Glove winner Mauricio Dubon from the Houston Astros in exchange for Nick Allen. Dubon, 31, participated in 133 games with Houston last season, batting .241 and earning his second Gold Glove as a utility infielder. The player won the award in 2023. In 2025, Dubon had a salary of 5 million dollars and is eligible for salary arbitration. He could become a free agent after the 2026 World Series.Allen, 27, is arbitration-eligible for the first time and can become a free agent after the 2029 season. Iglesias, after a season with ups and downs, managed to recover and had an outstanding performance in the second half. After recording an ERA of 4.42 in the first 39 games, he achieved an ERA of 1.76 in the second half, converting his last 18 save opportunities after July 28. This streak represented the longest without a wasted save to close out the season in the Major Leagues. Iglesias finished with 29 saves in 34 opportunities.I told him that I still don’t know what his role will be, but the fact that we have the flexibility to use him everywhere… it’s a good piece,” commented Alex Anthopoulos, general manager of the Braves, referring to Dubon.
Alex Anthopoulos
“We knew we needed to address the closer situation one way or another and what better than someone we know,” Anthopoulos said. “He wanted to be here. His first choice was to come back to Atlanta. I’m glad we were able to make it happen.”
Alex Anthopoulos
A significant change in 2025 for Iglesias was the reduction in the use of his slider and its velocity change, going from 52% of pitches in 2024 to 38% in 2025. Both pitches were notably less effective according to Baseball Savant’s run value.
Since 2017, when Iglesias became a full-time closer, he is third in the Major Leagues in WAR (11.8) among relievers, surpassed only by Edwin Díaz and Josh Hader. Iglesias is second in saves (247), behind Kenley Jansen.
Iglesias spent the first six seasons of his professional career with the Cincinnati Reds, who signed him in June 2014 as an international free agent. He debuted in 2015 and shined with the Reds before moving to the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. The Angels sent Iglesias to the Braves at the 2022 trade deadline. In parts of four seasons as a closer, he accumulated 97 saves, a 15-12 record, and a 2.35 ERA.
