The Atlanta Braves’ season came to a close with a disappointing end in the NLDS, and the reason how that came to be was evident. While the Braves’ offense had lost its touch in the postseason, the team’s starting pitching also fell short in depth late in the year.
However, one area stood tall as unarguably the Braves’ biggest strong suit by the end of the 2026 season — their bullpen. Atlanta’s relief arms were among the best statistically in the league, which held true to the end of the season.
At the end of the regular season, the Braves’ bullpen finished the year with the 4th best bullpen ERA in the league with a tally of 3.44. They also finished in a tie for fourth in combined saves over the year.
As the offseason looms, the Braves fortunately do not have much concern on their plate in terms of retaining talent in their bullpen, but there are some names they will need to navigate retaining if they hope to do so this winter.
Three relievers are set to become free agents this offseason — closer Raisel Iglesias, Joe Jiménez and Brent Suter.
Iglesias has been one of the league’s most productive high-leverage relievers since he was acquired by the team at the trade deadline in 2022. In 60 innings of work over the past season, Iglesias recorded a 2.55 ERA, the second-best tally he has had with the Braves in four full seasons with the team.
Iglesias has reached 30 saves three times in his four full seasons with the team. This past season, Iglesias converted 34 saves on 37 opportunities.
Iglesias spearheaded the Braves’ high-leverage tandem, which consists of veteran Robert Suárez, 21-year-old Didier Fuentes and southpaw Dylan Lee. Outside of some late-season struggles from Lee, these relievers gave the Braves’ opponents a force to be reckoned with late in games.
Jiménez had been a key arm for the Braves in their bullpen in 2023 and 2024, but has yet to return to the major leagues since because of an injury. Multiple left knee surgeries have sidelined him for a lengthy amount of time, but he did make a push to return late in 2026, as he made a rehab assignment in Triple-A in September.
Suter was an overlooked relief arm in the Braves’ bullpen, as he gave the team the innings they needed late in the year. In 13 games with the Braves after he was acquired from the Los Angeles Angels at this year’s trade deadline, Suter posted a 1.63 ERA in 27 ⅔ innings pitched in a bullpen that lacked southpaw depth.
Atlanta will likely look into bringing each reliever back, as they all have played key roles for the team in their respective tenures. However, should the Braves struggle to retain them, their bullpen will stand strong regardless.