ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – After missing the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade, the Atlanta Braves kept a low profile throughout the annual winter meetings this past weekend.
But in the hours that followed, Atlanta landed a high-profile reliever and a slugging outfielder with a famous surname that instantly strengthened a roster intent on staging a 2026 rebound.
Sixteen hours after adding outfielder depth in Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million contract, the Braves signed right-hander Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million deal, giving Atlanta a formidable setup–closer tandem alongside Raisel Iglesias, who re-signed with the club on a one-year, $16 million deal last month.
RELATED: Braves sign reliever Robert Suarez to 3-year, $45 million contract
San Diego Padres’ Robert Suarez throws the ball during the sixth inning of Game 3 of a National League wild card baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Oct. 2, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh, File)(Nam Huh | AP)
Suarez will work in the setup role at first while Iglesias closes. Once Iglesias’ contract is up, Suarez is expected to take over in the closer role for the remainder of his contract.
“We’ve become a real strength there, we really fortified the back end,” Suarez said in a Zoom call on Thursday. “I’m looking forward to talking more in-depth with Iglesias. We’ve obviously said hello and been friendly, but I think we’re going to have a nice relationship. We’re going to get along great.
“I think as long as everyone is on the same page about doing anything we can to make the team win, we’re all going to be doing well.”
On paper, Atlanta’s bullpen consists of Iglesias serving as closer, Robert Suarez, a righty, and Dylan Lee, a lefty, splitting setup duties, Aaron Bummer, Joel Payamps and Dylan Dodd as middle relievers, and southpaws José Suarez and Joey Wentz as long relievers. Right-hander Grant Holmes is another potential bullpen piece, given he’s recovering from a partially torn UCL, and early season availability would be a major boost.
When asked about him during Thursday’s press conference, Yastrzemski chuckled, and then praised Suarez. The two faced each other as previous members of the NL West.
“He’s an absolute stud,” Yastrzemski, a former San Francisco Giant, said. “That was never a fun time when I saw him running in from the bullpen. It was one of those [situations], like, ‘All right, I’ve got to grind here to find a way to put together a decent at-bat.’ You never expect to do anything right off of him. He strikes fear into opposing hitters.”
Suarez said outfielders Jurickson Profar and Ronald Acuña Jr. reached out soon after he signed with Atlanta.
#Braves Robert Suarez said he talked to Jurickson Profar and got a voicemail from Acuña soon after signing with Atlanta. He said he consistently heard so many good things about the team and clubhouse, which led him to choosing Atlanta over other interested teams.
— Aaron Schmidt (@AaronTSchmidt) December 11, 2025
Yaz brings depth to outfield
It didn’t matter what the Braves offered Yastrzemski, or what role he’d play with the organization.
“The No. 1 thing is the history of the organization and trying to win,” Yastrzemski said Thursday. “As I’ve gone through my career — not saying I hope it’s close to anywhere near done — but you only have so many chances to win. That was the first thing that drew me here, the strong commitment to trying to win a championship.
“With them showing the commitment to me to give me the two-year guaranteed deal, that gives me the ability to 100% buy-in and be the best teammate I can and try to find any given way to help them out.”
RELATED: Braves reach 2-year deal with outfielder Mike Yastrzemski
Kansas City Royals left fielder Mike Yastrzemski prepares to bat against the Minnesota Twins during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)(Reed Hoffmann | AP)
Yastrzemski, who played for Vanderbilt in Nashville, was excited about being closer to friends and family and said he has long admired the Braves from afar. Baseball runs deep in his family: his grandfather, Carl, spent 23 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989, while his father, Michael, played in the Braves’ minor-league system in the mid-1980s. Notably, his manager with Durham in 1984 was former Braves manager Brian Snitker.
The current-day Yaz can play all three outfield spots, allowing starters Profar, Acuña and Michael Harris II to get a day off if needed. The Braves also plan on rotating designated hitter abilities, giving the left-handed Yastrzemski at-bats against right-handed pitchers.
“What I’d been told is there’d be some at-bats in left (field), the DH being flexible, and there are days when I could play right, give Ronnie a DH day if he needs it. If Mike needs rest, I can spend a day in center. I’m willing to play anywhere they need me in any capacity.”
Yastrzemski is a platoon outfielder, but his combination of plate discipline and power gives the Braves an immediate boost as they look to rebound from a down 2025 season.
“I know (the Braves) have a great staff, great ownership and an unbelievable front office, but they also have the history of great players that I know are still around and willing to step in and help out and bring in some great information. Those are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
“This is an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.”
What comes next
By signing Iglesias, Yastrzemski and Suarez, the Braves have spent $38 million of their 2026 payroll.
With those signings, the Braves have now filled multiple vacancies this offseason, but the team has expressed desire to add another shortstop. Atlanta brought in utilityman Mauricio Dubón from Houston, and he’s a genuine option to take over as the starting shortstop if the club doesn’t land someone else, but the team is shopping around for another if possible.
Bo Bichette, former Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are the top three available shortstops in free agency.
But other than that, it’s expected that the Braves keep improving their pitching staff.
When healthy, Atlanta’s rotation consists of Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez and a fifth that could go to Grant Holmes, Bryce Elder, Joey Wentz or Hurston Waldrep. The first three rotation candidates for that final rotation spot would bode well in the bullpen, given they are out of options and Waldrep impressed in his rookie campaign.
Coming off a season in which six different starters missed more than a month, it’s easy to see why the team is prioritizing pitching depth. It’s safe to say that more moves are coming.
Pitchers and catchers report in North Port, Florida, on Feb. 12.
OFFSEASON COVERAGE
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