Grading the Braves 2026 free agent class one year later

As we gear up for a winter that will hopefully be filled with improvements to the Braves’ roster, let’s take a trip down memory lane and grade what Alex Anthopoulos actually got done this time last year.

This is often where World Series are won — and unfortunately for the Braves, Anthopoulos hasn’t conjured much holiday magic in a long time. It’s a big reason this team keeps falling short of expectations.

Robert Suarez (3 years, $45 million)

The biggest deal Atlanta handed out went to All-Star reliever Robert Suarez, and it was easily the best of the bunch. For the first two-plus months, Suarez was arguably the best reliever in baseball — a 0.56 ERA over 31 appearances. The back end of the Braves’ bullpen was untouchable over that stretch, handing them a massive edge in any tight game that reached the seventh inning.

The problem was health. Suarez suffered an elbow injury in June and didn’t return until the final week of the season, which limited his impact on the postseason run. That’s really the only knock here. If he enters 2027 fully healthy, this still looks like strong work by the front office.

Grade: B+

Ha-Seong Kim (1 year, $20 million)

Not much needs to be said about Ha-Seong Kim. He’ll go down as one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history — impressive, considering it was only a one-year deal.

Kim suffered a significant injury over the offseason after slipping on ice back in Korea, costing him the first couple of months. Frankly, it might have been better had he just missed the whole year. He returned for 51 games and hit .116 with a .359 OPS. A complete waste of $20 million, and one that may have ultimately doomed Atlanta’s season.

Grade: F- (is there anything lower than an F?)

Raisel Iglesias (1 year, $16 million)

The Braves brought back closer Raisel Iglesias on a palatable one-year deal, and he rewarded them with a brilliant first half that earned his first-ever All-Star nod. There were some hiccups down the stretch, but given the price tag, this is one Atlanta would absolutely run back — and they might, with Iglesias headed for free agency again.

Grade: B

Mike Yastrzemski (2 years, $23 million)

Our read on the Yastrzemski signing is probably clouded by what happened to Jurickson Profar, who was suspended for the entire season after his second PED positive. Yaz was brought in for outfield depth and as a platoon option against right-handed pitching.

In that role, the deal wasn’t bad. But once Profar went down, the Braves’ offense needed far more than Yastrzemski could provide, and that shortfall haunted the lineup all the way through October. It’s not a deal Anthopoulos would make again, but it’s not one that crippled the club either.

Grade: C-

Tyler Kinley (1 year, $4.25 million)

Kinley was brought back after a strong stretch in 2025, but the success didn’t carry over. He was haunted by the long ball this past season, surrendering nearly two home runs per nine innings — a death wish for any reliever. That eventually led to a designation for assignment after he posted a 4.01 ERA over 49 appearances. Clearly not a great move, but far from the worst on this list.

Grade: C-

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Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire