The Atlanta Braves may soon face one of their most delicate off-season puzzles: life without Raisel Iglesias. The veteran closer, now a free agent, is expected to draw considerable attention from clubs across Major League Baseball, and if Atlanta doesn’t strike quickly or decisively, they could find themselves without a ninth-inning anchor.
Free Agents Loom, but Internal Braves Options Hold Weight
That puts the front office in an all-too-familiar spot: sifting through a mix of internal options and free-agent alternatives in search of a bullpen solution that sticks. And while some names on the market have been floated as natural fits, familiarity doesn’t guarantee signing power. The Braves have a winning window open right now, and one of the last things a contending team wants to juggle is an unstable bullpen in tight games.
So, let’s start with what’s left in-house. Back in early October, Atlanta’s bullpen inventory looked deeper. But with Pierce Johnson and Tyler Kinley no longer retained, the internal list narrows, though not to the point of desperation. Four names stand out in this updated mix.
Dylan Lee and Joe Jiménez Lead the Pack
Dylan Lee is arguably the most straightforward candidate. With a 2.78 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in save situations last season, Lee has already shown the poise and effectiveness to handle high-pressure moments. While he was largely deployed in seventh-inning duty, his consistent performance makes him a logical choice to climb the bullpen hierarchy. And let’s be honest: “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” blaring through Truist Park wouldn’t hurt the vibes.
Joe Jiménez, if healthy, might be the most electric option of the bunch. His 2024 numbers, 2.62 ERA, and a strong 68 1/3 innings pitched, showcase a reliever who can dominate late innings. The problem is his health. A promising return late in the year was followed by a setback, and updates since have been scarce. If he bounces back physically, he could be the Braves’ best answer. But right now, that’s a big “if.”
Veteran Presence vs. Upside Wildcard
Aaron Bummer rounds out the trio of veterans. His 3.06 ERA over 50 innings in 2025 is steady, but his usage trends toward the middle innings. Shoulder issues late in the year further complicate the picture. Still, he brings veteran savvy and could rise to the challenge with an expanded role, if needed.
The most intriguing wildcard? Reynaldo López. Once a rotation hopeful, López now sits on the bubble, and bullpen duty might be the key to both his health and long-term value. With a 1.50 ERA across two teams in 2023 and a clean inning for the Braves to close out 2025, he has shown flashes of being a high-leverage arm. His pitch mix plays, and if he’s physically managed correctly, López could surprise everyone by emerging as the closer Atlanta didn’t know it had.
This offseason, the Braves don’t just need a closer; they need the right closer. Whether that arm is already in the building or waiting on the open market is still unclear. But if Iglesias signs elsewhere, the next few months could reveal more than just bullpen answers; they could reshape the team’s identity in the late innings.
