Blue Jays interested in Braves former 3.21 ERA closer

Conor Liguori

•
Blue Jays interested in Braves former 3.21 ERA closer image

One area of need for the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason is the bullpen. With closer Jeff Hoffman on the mound in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, they were just two outs away from the organization's first title since 1993. 

Miguel Rojas spoiled the fun with a game-tying solo home run, and the fans in Toronto will have to wait at least one more season to watch their team celebrate a championship. 

The Blue Jays are already scanning the free agent market, looking at relievers who can help put them over the hump in 2026. According to sources close to Cuban baseball reporter Francys Romero, the Blue Jays "have emerged as a strong suitor" for right-hander Raisel Iglesias. The 35-year-old just completed his fourth season with the Atlanta Braves. 

Iglesias could bring a veteran presence to the Blue Jays' bullpen 

Iglesias made 70 appearances with the Braves last season, posting a 3.21 ERA with 29 saves and 73 strikeouts in 67.1 innings pitched. Given the Braves' poor record at last year's trade deadline, it was surprising to see Iglesias remain with the team post-All-Star break and into the later months of the season. 

He has never been the best closer in the game, but Iglesias is dependable and has rarely run into injury problems. He's thrown 62 or more innings in four of the previous five seasons and can assume a setup man role if the Blue Jays want to stick with Hoffman at closer. 

There are several high-caliber relief pitchers on the free agent market this winter, including Edwin Diaz, Robert Suarez, and Devin Williams. Iglesias should be less expensive than all three pitchers listed, with Spotrac projecting his next contract to be approximately $17.6 million over two years. 

More Blue Jays News:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contributing Writer