Braves Sign Reliever Robert Suarez to Three-Year, $45M Deal as Setup Man

The Atlanta Braves have signed reliever Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract, despite heavy competition from other teams. Entering his age-35 season, Suarez still boasts nearly 99 mph velocity. The Braves plan for him to serve as Raisel Iglesias' setup man, rather than the closer, even with the significant investment. While Suarez's whiff rate (24.0% in 2025) is lower than Iglesias's (30.9%), his high velocity was a key factor in the deal. He would likely only assume closing duties if Iglesias falters or gets injured.