For the first few months of the 2025 season, Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias looked like a shell of the dominant closer he had been during his first two-and-a-half seasons with the club. Through June 5, Iglesias had a 6.75 ERA and was the sixth-worst pitcher in baseball by fWAR.
However, the 35 year old was dominant after allowing three runs to the Diamondbacks on June 5, finishing his final 43.1 innings with a 1.25 ERA and a 1.5 fWAR, eighth best among MLB relievers. With the righty hitting free agency and the Braves not having a clear heir to the closer spot, the Braves might need to consider a reunion, but only if the price is right.
What Raisel Iglesias's next contract might look like
With Iglesias approaching his 36th birthday in January, a long-term deal like the four-year, $58 million he signed with the Angels back prior to the 2022 season is completely out of the question. Even if Iglesias had been as dominant as he was in 2024, it would have been highly unlikely he would sign for as many years.
Still, aging closers are still getting paid. Former Braves closer Kenley Jansen signed for two years at $16 million a year before his age-35 season and signed a one-year, $10 million deal before his age-37 season having similar metrics to Iglesias.
Aroldis Chapman signed a one-year, $10.75 million deal last offseason before his age-37 season despite a relatively pedestrian 2024, and re-uped with Boston during the season on a one-year, $13.3 million deal with a vesting option for 2027.
Even Blake Treinen, who isn't even a closer, re-signed with the Dodgers on what now appears to be a regrettable two-year deal for $22 million before his age-37 season, though he did have a dominant 2024. Iglesias didn't have the season Treinen had before the Dodgers reliever hit free agency, but is a year younger than Chapman, Jansen, and Treinen were before receiving their latest contracts.
Given Iglesias uneven season, it's plausible that the righty's best offer would be a one-year deal ranging from $10 to $13 million. If the Braves are able to retain Iglesias on a one-year deal on the lower side of that range, then re-signing the soon-to-be 36-year-old would be a no-brainer.
However, if Iglesais can command a multi-year deal, the Braves would be best moving on and thanking their former closer for his two-and-a-half (more or less) fantastic seasons and moving on.