The Atlanta Braves might be getting ready to make one other substantial funding of their bullpen this offseason.
After falling wanting a World Collection look in 2026, Atlanta faces a number of essential selections in free company, together with the way forward for veteran nearer Raisel Iglesias.
Now, a brand new prediction has the Braves probably spending $80 million to accumulate considered one of baseball’s best reduction pitchers.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted on November 4 that Atlanta will signal San Diego Padres left-hander Adrián Morejón to a four-year, $80 million contract.
The 27-year-old is coming off one other wonderful season with San Diego and is extensively seen as one of many prime relievers accessible this winter.
For Atlanta, such an acquisition may signify a big shift in its bullpen plans as Iglesias enters free company.
Iglesias is formally accessible on the open market after finishing his one-year, $16 million contract with the Braves.
Braves Predicted to Make investments $80 Million in Adrián Morejón
Morejón has established himself as considered one of baseball’s premier setup males over the previous two seasons.
In keeping with MLB.com, the left-hander completed 2026 with a 2.83 ERA, 107 strikeouts and 28 holds throughout 86 innings and 76 appearances.
His efficiency adopted an much more dominant 2025 marketing campaign, when he posted a 2.08 ERA and earned his first All-Star choice.
Kelly highlighted Morejón’s spectacular manufacturing over these two years, noting that he gathered 5.1 wins above alternative, in accordance with FanGraphs.
Solely Mason Miller and Cade Smith produced extra WAR amongst reduction pitchers throughout that interval.
Though Morejón has primarily labored as a setup man slightly than a more in-depth, Kelly believes that flexibility may improve his enchantment to potential suitors.
Groups with established closers may pursue the Cuban left-hander with out essentially needing to vary their ninth-inning plans.
There’s a potential concern involving Morejón’s shoulder, which bothered him throughout San Diego’s postseason collection towards Milwaukee.
Nonetheless, the analyst initiatives a profitable contract for the 2025 All-Star, who would enter the 2027 season at age 28.
The Padres have already prolonged Morejón a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying supply, which he has till November 17 to just accept or decline.
Adrián Morejón Prediction Raises Questions About Raisel Iglesias’ Future
A possible $80 million deal for Morejón can be one other main bullpen funding for Atlanta.
The Braves signed former Padres nearer Robert Suarez to a three-year, $45 million contract final December, pairing him with Iglesias.
The Braves face a troublesome determination with Iglesias, nevertheless.
The veteran nearer recorded 34 saves with a 2.55 ERA in 2026, incomes his first profession All-Star choice at age 36.
Regardless of that manufacturing, Kelly predicts Iglesias will depart Atlanta and signal a one-year, $16 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.
This situation sees the Braves prioritizing a longer-term funding in a youthful reliever, Morejón.
That might be an attention-grabbing strategy for a bullpen that already has Suarez beneath contract by way of 2028.
Morejón may probably function as a high-leverage setup man alongside Suarez or ultimately tackle closing tasks.
Nonetheless, competitors for his providers might be substantial. Morejón will doubtless draw loads of curiosity as a younger, top-tier reliever.
Morejón has additionally expressed curiosity in remaining with San Diego, which means Atlanta would want to persuade him to depart the group the place he has spent his total main league profession.
There was no confirmed reporting of negotiations between Morejón and the Braves.
Nonetheless, the potential for including one other elite reliever presents an intriguing offseason situation for an Atlanta workforce trying to construct on its 2026 playoff look.
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