The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the offseason once again searching for high-leverage relief help, even after handing Tanner Scott a four-year, $72 million contract last winter.
According to respected MLB insider Francys Romero, Los Angeles submitted an offer in the neighborhood of $16 million to veteran closer Raisel Iglesias. The 35-year-old ultimately decided to return to the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $16 million pact.
Romero also reported that the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles all expressed interest in Iglesias before he opted to stay in Atlanta.
Despite a subpar full season by his standards, Iglesias still delivered solid results in 2025. The right-hander posted a 3.21 ERA across 70 appearances, converted 29 saves, and turned his campaign around dramatically after the All-Star break.
He had a 1.76 ERA in the second half and notched 18 saves.
Those second-half numbers stood in stark contrast to Scott’s disappointing debut season on the West Coast. The left-hander, who entered 2025 fresh off an All-Star year, finished with a 4.74 ERA while leading the Dodgers in saves. Scott’s struggles were pronounced enough that manager Dave Roberts kept him off the mound entirely during the postseason.
With Japanese phenom Rōki Sasaki projected to return to the rotation in 2026 after a brief relief stint late this year, the closer role figures to fall back to Scott by default. Yet the Dodgers’ clear pursuit of Iglesias suggests the front office is far from sold on Scott as the long-term answer in the ninth inning.
Los Angeles has the financial flexibility and prospect capital to keep exploring the relief market this winter. After spending big on Scott and watching the investment falter in year one, the club appears determined to add a more reliable arm—or at least create real competition—for the game’s most critical outs.
Expect to continue hearing rumors come out about the Dodgers moving forward. If they’re looking to add a late-inning arm, more than likely they will find a way to bring one onboard.
