The Atlanta Braves had one of the best off-seasons in recent years, and they needed it. They struggled mightily with their roster in 2025 and ensured they wouldn't suffer that fate in 2026. Now, there were still some moves they didn't make that could have improved the team, like the starting rotation. However, they were confident enough in their internal options to roll with it.
That confidence did not extend to the bullpen, and the front office made sure to address this. Atlanta swung for the fences and landed arguably baseball's best closer in Robert Suarez. The Braves acquired him to set up games for Raisel Iglesias.
There's no doubt that Suarez was the most notable addition for the Braves this past offseason. Not only that, but he was one of the biggest free agent signings in baseball. However, a recent article from Bleacher Report doesn't even acknowledge him.
Bleacher Report not giving Braves' signing of Robert Suarez does not make any sense
The only mention of any move made by the Braves is the inclusion of Martin Perez as a "big bargain signing". Perez has been fine in the rotation, but including him and not Suarez is perplexing, to say the least. That's not to discredit the good work from Perez with his 2.70 ERA over 46.2 innings (7 starts). But Suarez has had a massive impact on the bullpen.
Suarez has a 0.77 ERA, 1.1 WAR, and 2.48 FIP over 23.1 innings, along with five walks to 21 strikeouts with four saves. The flame-throwing righty has excelled in almost every metric possible. The only things that could be improved are his whiff rate, strikeout rate, and xBA.
It is mind-boggling that Suarez wasn't mentioned among the list of ten players. It's as if once he joined the Braves, he ceased to exist. The list includes some great players and shows how some signings have turned into absolute duds.
It's not the end of the world, but it just feels odd that the closer with the most saves in baseball over the last two years isn't featured on this list at least as an honorable mention. However, this is one of those situations where no news is good news. Atlanta fans are seeing exactly what they hoped for from the Venezuelan right-hander. Hopefully, he continues this incredible pace all season.
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