The Atlanta Braves have signed free-agent reliever Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract, pairing the 34-year-old with closer Raisel Iglesias to form a potent late-inning duo. Suarez, who led the NL with 40 saves and earned his second All-Star nod with the Padres in 2025, steps in as setup man after the team declined options on Pierce Johnson ($7M) and Tyler Kinley ($5.5M).
The Atlanta Braves announced Thursday the signing of reliever Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million pact—$13 million in 2026, $16 million each in 2027 and 2028—bolstering their bullpen amid late-inning needs. The 34-year-old Venezuelan right-hander, who received no qualifying offer from San Diego, brings a 2.91 ERA, 141 ERA+, 3.36 FIP, 77 saves, and 219 strikeouts over four MLB seasons (all with Padres), including 36 saves in 2024 and an NL-leading 40 in 2025.
Ranked No. 21 among free agents by CBS Sports' RJ Anderson, Suarez overcame perceptions of inconsistency with strong recent shutdown performances compared to peers like Jeff Hoffman and Ryan Helsley, despite relying heavily on fastballs and changeups (75% usage). In 2025, he posted a 2.88 FIP, 27.9% strikeout rate, and 5.9% walk rate; his 98.6 mph four-seamer (+15 run value, 63.4% usage) held foes to .155, complemented by a changeup with 32.8% whiff rate. Postseason: 2.45 ERA, 3 saves in 12 games.
Suarez will set up Iglesias, who re-signed for one year, $16 million. "I had plenty of conversations with other teams, but ... this was the right decision," Suarez said, praising the Braves' organization and city. He's open to any role: "I’m willing to do whatever needs to be done ... I just want to help the team win."
New teammate Mike Yastrzemski, signed 16 hours earlier as a backup outfielder, called Suarez "an absolute stud" who "strikes fear into opposing hitters."
Prior to MLB debut at age 31 in 2022, Suarez spent six pro seasons in Mexico and Japan.