The off-season is barely underway, but the warning signs for the Atlanta Braves are already blood-red. And sure, plenty of people are talking about free agents and many of them returning home; there is one player that insiders are urging the Braves to stay far, far away from.

The player is Raisel Iglesias.

MLB sent a message very quietly to the Braves; he might not be with the investment.

“Iglesias may have been a trade candidate this summer, but he struggled for most of the first half and carried an ERA north of 5.00 on the week of the Trade Deadline. The 35-year-old looked like his old self during the final two months, allowing only one run over his final 27 appearances (0.34 ERA) while converting all 18 of his save opportunities.”

And yes, as MLB mentioned, right now Iglesias is more a liability than a luxury.

However, he has rebounded well, allowing just one run over his final 27 appearances. But does one stretch remove a full season of mishaps and discount the risk profile of a 35- and soon-to-be-36-year-old player?

The Braves are told not to make the $58 million mistake. Iglesias’s flashes of brilliance don’t guarantee dominance, and Atlanta, already juggling other priorities, can’t afford to sink another massive contract into an aging reliever. But while they hesitate, the Jays might be in for a silent scoop of the player.

Given they fell just one game short of winning the World Series, Toronto knows it is time to go all in, and the bullpen is the first stop for them. And according to Francis Romero, Toronto is now one of the top teams showing real interest in Iglesias.

The fit honestly makes sense because, despite the rocky start, Iglesias still posted a 3.21 ERA, struck out 27.4% of hitters, and held opponents to a .163 average over the final four months. Given that Ross Atkins has said that the closer role is up for grabs, Iglesias seems a perfect fit. Age definitely limits his deal, and it is likely to be a one- or two-year contract, with an annual salary of around $13–16 million. That’s a bargain for sure! Plus, for Toronto, it could be a sweet revenge, given the LA Dodgers want him too. 

Dodgers crash the party on the Jays’ run for Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias has had a fantastic second half, and the Braves would love to get him back, but only at the right price. And sad for them, and maybe for the Jays, given there is one team that is not afraid to throw around money, if they need to win and continue winning, the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

The Dodgers have been looking for that ninth-inning stability since Kenley Jansen left ahead of the 2022 season. Blake Treinen didn’t stay healthy, and their move on Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates blew up royally. So for now, the Dodgers are suddenly interested in Iglesias, and if history tells you anything, then you know that the Dodgers throw money at any problem until that problem disappears.

That makes things for the Braves if they want him back, too. They also have to see what’s left in the budget after they deal with shortstop and the rotation. And even if the LA Dodgers head elsewhere, their pressure alone in the bidding war can push Iglesias’ price to an uncomfortable territory for teams like the Braves and Jays.

But before panic sets in for both teams, it is worth remembering that the Dodgers are linked to almost every big-name reliever this winter. Just days ago, their chase for Devin Williams made all the matter. They have been floated as suitors for Edwin Díaz or Robert Suárez. So yes, while they’re in the bid can complicate things, they could move just as fast on someone else.