The Atlanta Braves are making waves this MLB offseason. In what is expected to be a wild hot stove season across the sport, Atlanta is making sure it gets a piece of the pie. During the Winter Meetings, the Braves signed outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to a two-year, $23 million deal with a player-option for a third year.
Then, on Thursday, the Braves took things a step further and made a big splash in the reliever market by acquiring closer Robert Suarez on a three-year, $45 million deal. Both contracts have since been graded by ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle.
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Braves Receive Positive Grades on Both Signings
ESPN’s Doolittle gives both deals a ‘B’ grade. The Suarez deal is given a B rating, and Mike Yastrzemski’s deal was graded out as a B-.
Here are some details for each grade by Doolittle:
“The deal feels like a mild overpay given Yastrzemski’s age (he turns 36 in August), the two-year commitment, and the Braves’ payroll outlook.” Doolittle writes. “The concern would be a sharp decline for Yastrzemski, as can certainly happen with a mid-30s veteran.”
GettyMike Yastrzemski celebrates his three-run home run against the Royals on September 21, 2024.
While there might be some slight concerns about his age, Doolittle is otherwise on board with the upside of signing Mike Yastrzemski.
“Still, it’s something you don’t want to do willy-nilly, and since the Braves already had Igelsias on hand, maybe a lower-cost alternative like Brad Keller or Seranthony Dominguez would have made sense.”
There is still time for the Braves to add to their roster; however, they are off to a good start. Atlanta now has four legitimate outfielders that can potentially play every day, and the possible best one-two punch in the back of a bullpen in MLB.
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What Will Yastrzemski and Robert Suarez Bring to Atlanta?
Robert Suarez has been one of the best closers in MLB for the last two seasons. In 2025, he posted a 2.97 ERA while leading the NL in saves (40) and posting a microscopic WHIP (0.90).
He’s been named to the All-Star break in consecutive seasons, and burst onto the closer scene in 2024 after posting a 2.77 ERA in 65 innings, and recording 36 saves. Suarez has a career 2.91 ERA in 206 career bullpen appearances. The early reports indicate that Raisel Iglesias will still be the closer, but that might be subject to change.
As for Mike Yastrzemski, he brings average power and good defense to a Braves outfield that could use the depth. He hit 17 home runs in 2025 and posted an OPS+ of 109 games between the Giants and Royals. Yastrzemski has 123 career home runs in seven seasons.
According to BaseballReference.com, Yastrzemski is projected to hit .230 with 18 home runs and 53 runs driven in.
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