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Bleacher Report’s early verdict on MLB free agency didn’t pull punches. As a result, the Atlanta Braves found themselves in an uncomfortable spotlight. Specifically, two of Atlanta’s offseason signings landed on Bleacher Report’s list of the biggest overpays of the winter. While that label can sound harsh, the designation says more about the level of risk the Braves willingly accepted after a disastrous 76–86 finish in 2025 than about the talent of the players involved.
To be clear, Bleacher Report wasn’t arguing that Atlanta signed bad players. Instead, the critique centered on price, aging curves, and opportunity cost. In other words, for a franchise attempting to stabilize quickly, the margin for error is skinny.
Robert Suárez Raises Age and Role Concerns
First and foremost, the three-year, $45 million contract given to Robert Suarez drew immediate scrutiny. On the surface, the move is understandable. After all, Suárez is a two-time All-Star who just led the National League with 40 saves. Moreover, proven late-inning arms rarely reach free agency, which only increases their appeal.
However, context matters. Suárez is entering his age-35 season and, notably, won’t even be Atlanta’s primary closer. Instead, that role still belongs to Raisel Iglesias, who returned on a one-year, $16 million deal. While paying $15 million per year for a setup man isn’t automatically a mistake, it becomes far riskier when both top leverage relievers are in their mid-to-late 30s.
Additionally, Bleacher Report pointed to a clear comparison point. Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the division-rival New York Mets. Not only is Williams four years younger, but he also owns a stronger overall track record. Consequently, it’s fair to wonder whether Atlanta committed long-term money to the wrong reliever.
That doesn’t mean Suárez won’t help. On the contrary, he could form a devastating late-inning duo with Iglesias. Still, when age and role are factored in, the deal carries more downside than teams typically prefer at that price point.
Ha-Seong Kim Gamble Reflects Bigger Roster Questions
Meanwhile, the second Braves signing labeled an overpay was Ha-Seong Kim, who landed a one-year, $20 million deal after opting out of a $16 million salary. From Kim’s perspective, the move was unquestionably smart. By contrast, from Atlanta’s side, the gamble is more complicated.
After all, Kim appeared in just 48 games last season while continuing to recover from right shoulder surgery. During that stretch, he hit .234 with a .649 OPS. Furthermore, his defensive metrics at shortstop slipped into negative territory, which raised additional questions. Although his broader track record suggests a rebound with the glove, the offensive limitations remain difficult to ignore.
Across five MLB seasons, Kim owns a .701 OPS and a 97 OPS+, slightly below league average. Because of that, Bleacher Report’s skepticism isn’t about versatility or effort. Instead, it’s about opportunity cost. That same $20 million could have been allocated to a more impactful bat or used as part of a larger push for someone like Bo Bichette, whose defensive issues are well known but whose offensive ceiling is considerably higher.
Ultimately, none of this guarantees failure. Suárez could thrive in a high-leverage role, and Kim could bounce back into a valuable two-way contributor. Even so, Bleacher Report’s list highlights a familiar theme for Atlanta: paying premium prices for short-term certainty while absorbing long-term risk.
For a team trying to recover quickly, that balance is delicate. Therefore, these deals aren’t being mocked. Instead, they’re being questioned—and with good reason.
Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly MLB. More about Alvin Garcia
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