The Atlanta Braves made one of their biggest moves of the offseason by bolstering the team’s bullpen. Former San Diego Padres pitcher Robert Suarez is one of the best closers in baseball and the 2-time All-Star is headed to Atlanta, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The Athletic ranked Suarez as the No. 23 rated free agent this offseason. Atlanta is suddenly building one of the most improved bullpens in MLB.
“BREAKING: Closer Robert Suarez and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract, sources tell ESPN,” Passan said in a series of December 11, 2025, messages on X. “Between Robert Suarez and Raisel Iglesias, Atlanta now has two of the five relievers with the most saves over the last two seasons.
“With a healthy Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider, plus a full season of Hurston Waldrep, their pitching could take a huge leap.”
New Braves Pitcher Robert Suarez Is Coming Off Back-to-Back All-Star Seasons
Suarez is coming off back-to-back All-Star campaigns with the Padres. The veteran has had 76 saves over the last two seasons in San Diego, including a career-high 40 in 2025.
“Three-year contracts for 35-year-old relievers are inherently risky, which perhaps explains why Suarez’s deal with the Braves falls a bit short of our projection (three years, $54 million),” The Athletic’s Tim Britton detailed. “But it’s in a logical middle ground between No. 19 rated Devin Williams’ three-year, $51 million contract with the Mets and No. 27 ranked Ryan Helsley’s two-year, $28 million deal with the Orioles.
“Another interesting wrinkle: Suarez, who led the league with 40 saves last season, possibly working as a setup man to Raisel Iglesias, who re-signed with Atlanta for one-year and $16 million.”
Braves Rumors: Atlanta Could Make Another Move for a Starting Pitcher
The latest Braves news comes one day after Atlanta added depth by signing outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million contract. Yastrzemski is the grandson of Carl Yastrzemski and also ranked inside The Athletic’s top 50 MLB free agents heading into the offseason.
Are the Braves done making moves? After an underwhelming season, Atlanta is looking to return to the playoffs in 2026. Don’t be surprised if the Braves soon make another move to bolster the team’s starting pitching.
“When (Alex) Anthopoulos and (Walt) Weiss spoke to the media this week, it was clear pitching is the top priority,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman detailed in a December 10, story titled, “Braves’ priorities remain the same as Winter Meetings wrap up.” “There’s seemingly a need to add insurance to a rotation that has a few health-related concerns. It’s great that Grant Holmes (right elbow inflammation) and Reynaldo López (arthroscopic shoulder surgery) are feeling good.
“But after seeing six different pitchers miss at least five weeks because of injuries this past year, there’s reason for the Braves to continue monitoring top free agents like Zac Gallen, even with the understanding signing him would cost them the 26th overall pick in next summer’s MLB Draft.”
There is still plenty of time for the Braves to make additional moves ahead of the team’s season opener against the Kansas City Royals on March 27.
Braves Land Coveted $45 Million 2-Time All-Star in MLB Free Agency Splash Move