The Offseason Monitor: Braves Bullpen Headache
Atlanta's latest signing fortifies the back end of their bullpen
News & Notes
The Braves made a significant addition to their bullpen today, signing right-hander Robert Suarez to a multiyear deal that immediately strengthens their late-inning relief corps. Suarez, coming off a strong 2025 season in San Diego, now joins incumbent closer Raisel Iglesias in what could become one of the most dominant back-end tandems in baseball.
According to Ken Rosenthal, Iglesias is still expected to enter 2026 as Atlanta’s closer. Still, Suarez gives the Braves legitimate leverage optionality — and creates fantasy ripple effects that managers will need to navigate carefully.
Why Atlanta Wanted Robert Suarez
Suarez quietly put together one of the most well-rounded relief seasons of 2025. Across 69 innings, he posted:
→28.1% K%
→5.2% BB%
→22.8% K-BB%
→44.5 PA/HR allowed
His underlying metrics were backed by strong modeling grades:
Month-to-month, Suarez showed excellent stability. His strikeout percentage was around or above 30% five of the seven months of the season. With WHIP+ consistently in the 1.00–1.35 range (one bad month at .260). The command held, the stuff held, and the strikeouts held.
That reliability is exactly what Atlanta needs. Rasiel Iglesias had a slow start last year but rebounded. You can read more about Iglesias here.
Fantasy Impact
1. Ken Rosenthal says Iglesias will remain the closer
Atlanta historically prefers stability in the ninth inning. Iglesias has experience, command, and trust.
2. But Suarez’s arrival will cut into save opportunities.
Suarez isn’t the type of reliever a team uses in the 7th. His 2025 metrics reflect closer-caliber dominance, and his durability score (131) shows he’s capable of handling frequent, high-leverage work.
Expect Suarez to:
Steal 12-15 saves
Become Atlanta’s primary “fireman” for toughest pockets
This makes him one of the league’s most valuable non-closer relievers.
3. Iglesias’s ceiling drops.
He should remain a 20-25 save closer. But the days of 35–40 save upside? Those are gone with Suarez in town.
4. Suarez becomes an elite holds option — or a top-tier speculative saves play.
If Iglesias gets hurt or struggles, Suarez instantly becomes a top-10 closer. The Braves didn’t sign him to be ordinary depth.
Final Thoughts
Stay away from both of these relievers in save leagues. It is not worth risking a wasted roster spot in NFBC Gladiator leagues.
In the real world, the Braves have built an excellent 1-2 punch to close games out in really two different ways. Suarez will blow it by you, and Iglesias will work more East to West.
If your league rewards holds or saves+holds, Suarez becomes a must-target.