In one of the several major last-minute deals around baseball, this was a big one. The Atlanta Braves (62-41) have traded for flame-throwing closer Raisel Iglesias from the Los Angeles Angels (43-59). The Braves once again were one of the most ambitious teams this trade season.
The Angels have been one of the worst teams in baseball for a long time now despite having some of the best players in baseball. This failure to build around great players led to one of their best pitchers Raisel Iglesias being sent to a playoff contender.
Iglesias is in his second season with the Angels after spending his first six with the Cincinnati Reds. His first season with the Angeles proved to be one of the best of his career. In 70 innings he tied a career-high in saves with 34, struck out a career-high 103 and had a 2.57 ERA.
2022 has not been as great, but he is still a great arm late in the game. In 35.2 innings he has 16 saves, 48 strikeouts and a 4.04 ERA. He started the season with a spectacular April. In 9.1 innings he converted all six save opportunities and only allowed one run. He started July by allowing five runs over 2.2 innings but has since gone 4.2 innings without allowing a run.
At the 2021 trade deadline, the Braves picked up some slouching players. Those players turned into the incredible talent that led them to a World Series title. This season they are attempting to do the same by adding Iglesias who provides quite the late-game punch.
The Angels got two solid players in return. The most notable player is long-time reliever Jesse Chavez as well as pitcher Tucker Davidson. Chavez is in his 15th season and this will be his second time with the Angeles (2017). This season he has a 2.66 ERA in 44 innings. Davidson has spent the majority of his time in the minors but has had nine appearances over the past three seasons with a 5.11 ERA in 37 innings.
The Atlanta Braves are hunting for the top spot in the National League East and another playoff berth. Adding Raisel Iglesias to the bullpen should give them an edge in the final two months of the regular season. Iglesias has quite the arm and can strike out hitters at will making him extremely exciting to watch in this playoff race.
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