The Atlanta Braves have begun building their bullpen for the 2026 season. Despite being courted by multiple teams, Raisel Iglesias returned to Atlanta on a one-year, $16 million contract. Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters on Wednesday that familiarity played a role in bringing Iglesias back. However, AA also noted that the feeling was mutual and that Iggy "wanted to be here."
Clearly, the Braves organization has made a strong impression, as Iglesias reportedly chose the Braves over the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mets, and Orioles.
This solved one of Atlanta's biggest offseason needs, but there is still more work to do. The Braves have worked on adding pitching depth with some recent acquisitions. However, they could use another impact arm to combine with Iglesias in the late innings.
Braves should turn to former Rays closer to give the bullpen a perfect 1-2 punch
Former Rays closer Pete Fairbanks could be a perfect fit in a setup role for the Braves. Tampa Bay declined the right-hander's $11 million option for next season and sent him into free agency despite an excellent 2025.
Fairbanks tossed 60.1 innings last season with a 2.83 ERA, 27 saves, 18 walks, and 59 strikeouts. He stranded runners on base around 78% of the time and carried one of the best fastballs in the game, with a 97.3 mph average velocity.
His pitch mix consists of a four-seamer, slider, changeup, and cutter. He primarily features his fastball and slider, but the changeup and cutter are effective when needed. Fairbanks' slider and cutter induced a lot of swing-and-miss in 2025 at 30.8% and 34.4% respectively.
Analytically, Fairbanks was average in chase, whiff, strikeout, walk, and ground ball rates. However, Fairbanks excelled at missing barrels last season, with his rate ranking in the 93rd percentile among all relievers.
Fangraphs has Fairbanks projected to earn a two-year contract worth $16 million. At only $8 million per year, he'd be a great bargain for any team. However, it feels like Fairbanks will probably command a contract closer to an AAV at $10 million or more.
It would be nice for the Braves to have a great backend of the bullpen for the 7th, 8th, and 9th innings. Fairbanks has gotten interest from the Dodgers, so there will be tough competition for his services. Atlanta has a history of paying out big contracts for relievers, and Fairbanks could be the next in line.