While there is still hope of a reunion, the odds that Raisel Iglesias has already played his last game with the Atlanta Braves are growing by the day. Iglesias' strong end to the 2025 season after what can only be described as a nightmarish first half has made him a popular free agent target already. As each day goes by and Atlanta hasn't re-signed him, the more likely that one of his many suitors is able to steal him away.
If that happens, the Braves will obviously need a closer and there are not any obvious internal options to take Iglesias' place. This has not escaped the notice of MLB experts who are already connecting the Braves to seemingly every high leverage reliever on the market including Robert Suarez. However, one name that may be gaining some traction is former Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
Word on the street is that after opting out of his deal with the Mets, the 31-year-old Diaz is seeking a similar contract to the one he originally signed with New York and, for the moment, it sounds like the odds that he returns to the Mets are currently "50/50". Assuming a world where Diaz doesn't simply re-up with New York, The Athletic's MLB insider Ken Rosenthal thinks the Braves could steal him away.
Braves named among the more likely landing spots for Edwin Diaz if he indeed leaves the Mets
Before Braves fans get too excited, Rosenthal had a number of teams as in play for Diaz if he ends up being a true free agent. In addition to Atlanta, the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Tigers all got specific mention with the Dodgers and Giants being possible, if unlikely due to being on the west coast, options as well.
Still, it is hard to argue with the potential fit between the Braves and Diaz here with the possible exception of cost (more on that in a minute). Diaz is a lock-down reliever who also represents one of the few relievers on the market that would be an actual upgrade over Iglesias going forward. It probably doesn't hurt that the Braves just hired Diaz's old pitching coach which would add some familiarity for Diaz as well.
There are some problems with this idea, though. Atlanta absolutely needs to invest in their bullpen where there are multiple openings now, but putting so much into Diaz who is likely to need a $100+ million guarantee to sign is well beyond what the Braves have been known to do and they still have to address shortstop and the rotation after that. Diaz also received a qualifying offer and that means signing him would cost the Braves the pick right after the first round that Drake Baldwin's ROY win just netted them. Again, not ideal.
Currently, the odds are better that the Braves and Iglesias come to terms on a deal than there are of any pursuit of Diaz by Atlanta this offseason. Still, expect the Braves to keep the Mets honest and make them pay up if they want to keep him in the fold. There is certainly a price point where signing Diaz makes sense and having Atlanta lurking could take away some of New York's leverage this offseason.