The Atlanta Braves have put a big emphasis on signing relievers this offseason. After a disastrous 2025 season, where the Braves were picking up arms off the street just to get through the season, the bullpen was a big issue.
GM Alex Anthopoulos and the rest of the front office have done a great job addressing the bullpen so far this winter. First, they re-signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a one-year, $16 million deal, and then Atlanta splurged on reliever Robert Suarez, who signed. a three-year, $45 million contract. However, is that enough for the Braves to compete in 2026? A certain Bleacher Report writer doesn’t think so.
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Braves Urged to Sign Reliever Ryne Stanek
It would not be surprising if the Braves don’t ink out any more lucrative contracts, but that doesn’t mean they should stop signing players to either minor league contracts or low-cost deals.
Other moves the Braves have made towards the bullpen this offseason include signing Ian Hamilton, Joel Payamps, and southpaw Danny Young.
In a recent article by BR writer Joel Reuter, each 30 MLB teams has a “biggest remaining need,” and for the Braves, it’s bullpen help, and Reuter proposes their top target to be Ryne Stanek:
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 14: Ryne Stanek #55 of the New York Mets pitches to the Texas Rangers in the 10th inning at Citi Field on September 14, 2025 in New York City. The New York Mets won 5-2. (Photo by Benjamin B. Braun/Getty Images)
“Despite a disappointing 76-86 finish in 2025, the Braves currently have one of the most complete rosters in baseball on paper, and more room for in-house improvement than perhaps any other team. They have already re-signed Raisel Iglesias and brought aboard Robert Suárez, but there is room for further improvement for a bullpen that ranked 19th in the majors with a 4.19 ERA and had 21 blown saves.”
“Logical Target: RHP Ryne Stanek”
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Should the Braves Target Ryne Stanek?
Ryne Stanek last pitched with the New York Mets in 2025, where he posted a 5.30 ERA over 53 innings. There’s no way the Mets are going to re-sign him, as he has a 5.47 ERA with New York over 72.1 innings.
Stanek could certainly help the Braves in some capacity, but it would have to either be in a mop-up or low-leverage role, as Stanek’s value isn’t very high, and there’s no guarantee he’d even break Spring Training with the club.
The journeyman MLB reliever has played in parts of nine seasons with five different organizations. It would be wise of Atlanta to think about making a low-cost signing like this that could help aid in innings production for the Braves’ pitching staff.
However, most Braves fans would probably agree that starting pitching remains the team’s top need this offseason as the winter progresses.
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