The Atlanta Braves have had a relatively quiet offseason so far.
The Braves had a disappointing season, finishing with a 76-86 record and missing the playoffs after reaching the postseason for seven straight seasons, which included a 2021 World Series victory. The Braves’ pitching staff struggled this season, ranking in the bottom third in the league with a 4.36 team ERA.
Though Atlanta had a rough season, closer Raisel Iglesias showed he still has something left in the tank. The 35-year-old posted a 3.21 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 70 appearances, finishing 57 of the games. The Braves re-signed Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million contract this offseason.
While grading all of the early offseason moves made so far, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer praised the Braves for bringing back Iglesias on a one-year contract, giving the team a high grade.
“Iglesias got off to a brutal start this year, as his ERA was as high as 6.75 as late as June 5,” Rymer wrote Monday. “But then he settled down, posting a 2.25 ERA over his next 45 appearances to successfully save face as one of MLB’s more reliable closers.
“A $16 million salary is a reasonable sum for a guy who can lock down the ninth inning as well as Iglesias has in the past, and the Braves can be confident that his stuff will be age-proof even in his age-36 season. He still throws in the mid-90s, yet he knows better than to rely too heavily on his four-seamer. Grade: A.”
After such a disappointing season, the Braves need to make some roster adjustments. Though Atlanta has not had the flashiest offseason so far, bringing back Iglesias on a one-year contract is a good start as the team eyes a return to the postseason next year.
More MLB: Braves Lose Athletic 24-Year-Old Outfielder to Padres
