The Atlanta Braves and closer Robert Suarez have agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal, the team announced Thursday.
According to the Braves, Suarez will earn $13 million next season and $16 million in each of the final two years of the contract. He will donate 1% of his salary to the team’s foundation.
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The 34-year-old Suarez has spent his entire four-season MLB career with the San Diego Padres. He made 70 appearances during the 2025 season, recording a career-high and National League-leading 40 saves in 69 2/3 innings pitched. The right-hander’s production has earned him two straight appearances on the NL All-Star team.
Suarez’s 76 saves since 2024 are the most in MLB in that span, five more than the tally of Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians.
In November, Suarez opted out of his contract, which had two years and $16 million remaining. Because he was not given a qualifying offer, there is no draft pick compensation coming to the Padres with his departure.
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The addition of Suarez, one of the best relievers on the market, strengthens the Braves’ bullpen. Last month, they re-signed Raisel Iglesias, who has recorded 96 saves in Atlanta over the past three seasons. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, Suarez will serve as the setup man, with Iglesias remaining the team’s closer.
As they sought more help in the bullpen, Yahoo Sports’ Russell Dorsey reported that the Braves also looked at reliever Devin Williams before he signed with the New York Mets.