Braves reportedly offered 5-year deal to former $69M NL rival that joined Dodgers on lesser deal

Hunter Cookston

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Braves reportedly offered 5-year deal to former $69M NL rival that joined Dodgers on lesser deal image

The Atlanta Braves are a team to watch in free agency right now, and with the moves they have made so far, they may have positioned themselves as NL East favorites over the Philadelphia Phillies. Their pitching core is looking especially strong after a down year in 2025.

“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,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote.

After signing Ha-Seong Kim on Monday, there appears to be a new buzz surrounding the Braves.

“The last week or so has flipped the outlook of the Atlanta Braves' offseason on its head. For a time, the big move was re-signing Raisel Iglesias, and perhaps they had an option at shortstop who could move around the field in Mauricio Dubon. Then, the wave came in. Mike Yastrzemski added flexibility to the outfield and the lineup. Robert Suarez will now pair up with the re-signing Iglesias. As icing on the cake so far, they’ve brought back Ha-Seong Kim. He is technically returning, but he was only around a month. From a full-season perspective, he can still be seen as a new addition, fortifying shortstop,” SI’s Harrison Smajovitts wrote.

The Braves also made a strong push for rival reliever Edwin Díaz, reportedly offering him a five-year contract, but he ultimately chose the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Díaz had already received two contract offers -- one of three years from the Los Angeles Dodgers and another of five years from the Atlanta Braves,” ESPN’s Jorge Castillo wrote.

Missing out on Díaz suggests that either the annual value was more favorable with the Dodgers or the closer felt confident in Los Angeles’ ability to contend for another World Series. Regardless, it serves as further proof that the Braves are not sitting back this offseason.

Atlanta still has salary flexibility to pursue a starting pitcher or address other needs. There was nearly a scenario in which Díaz would have been a Brave for the next half-decade, underscoring just how aggressive the front office has been.

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