The Atlanta Braves made a great move by extending Chris Sale, as he’s been their top tog ever since Max Fried left in free agency. However, with the amount of money he’s received in the extension, the Braves might have to shave some other players off the payroll.
Fansided’s Zachary Rotman predicts the Braves will let go of their closer, Raisel Iglesias, as they did find a replacement in Robert Suarez.
“While sure, the Braves could re-sign Iglesias again, how likely is that to come to fruition? Suarez is an established closer in his own right, so it’s not as if the Braves will need Iglesias to close games for them, and he’d likely be older and more expensive than they’d like at age 37 next winter. Sale’s pay increase means cuts will likely have to come from somewhere. Alex Anthopoulos has done a fine job finding diamonds in the rough in the bullpen, like Joe Jimenez, Tyler Kinley and Aaron Bummer (to name a few) over the years, and he’d likely resort to doing so again over paying Iglesias if money is a limiting factor (which feels likely),” Rotman wrote.
In four years with Atlanta, Iglesias posted a record of 15-12, a 2.35 ERA, 239 Ks, a WHIP of 0.942 and 97 saves in 222 games. This past season, he finished with a 3.21 ERA, 73 Ks, a WHIP of 0.995, and 29 saves.
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Iglesias is set to make $16 million this year, and becomes a free agent in the offseason. Depending on how he does, the Braves might have a case to bring back their closer.
Hopefully, they do and find a way to make sure Iglesias extends his time in Atlanta. He’s provided a good service for them, and would continue to do so if they let him.
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