The Atlanta Braves have caught the player on the FA market again. It’s not Kim Ha-sung.
The Braves announced on the 20th (Korea Standard Time) that they have agreed to a one-year, $16 million (about 23.5 billion won) contract with right-hander Raisel Iglesias (35).
$16 million is equivalent to the salary he received last season. Iglesias previously signed a four-year, $58 million contract with his previous team, the Los Angeles Angels, in December 2021.
사진 확대 Atlanta re-signed Raisel Igresias. 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
Iglesias is a proven finish. He pitched in 600 games and had a 2.90 253 ERA in 11 seasons in the Major League.
Since being traded from the Angels to Atlanta in early August 2022, he has 222 appearances and 2.3597 saves in four years for Atlanta.
In the 2025 season, he pitched 70 games and 67 1/3 innings, recording a 3.21 ERA and 2.1 homers, 2.1 walks and 9.8 strikeouts per 0.995 innings in WHIP, making 29 saves out of 34 save opportunities.
His 29 saves were the fourth place in the National League and ninth place in the Major League. He has finished with 18 consecutive save opportunities since July 28.
사진 확대 Can Atlanta re-sign Kim Ha-sung? 사진=ⓒAFPBBNews = News1
In the last 45 games of the regular season, he played with a 1.25 ERA and fWAR 1.5.
Citing sources, Major League Baseball reporter Francis Romero said the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays showed interest in him, but eventually chose to renew their contracts with Atlanta.
With this renewal, Atlanta succeeded in reinforcing the bullpen, which was one of its goals in the offseason. There is also a possibility of additional recruitment. They had previously given up their team option for Tyler Kinley, who pitched well with a 0.72 ERA in 24 games.
The government will also continue to push for the reinforcement of shortstop. Attention is focused on whether to renew the contract with Kim Ha-sung. Earlier, Kim Ha-sung’s agent Scott Boras said that teams seeking to strengthen second and shortstop are showing interest in Kim Ha-sung and plan to be valued in the market.
[KIM JAE HO, MK Sports Reporter]