These 3 Teams Will Line Up To Sign Top Closer Raisel Iglesias

 

Raisel Iglesias has more than proven himself as a top-shelf closer over the past five years, and he's set to cash in large this offseason as the top closer on the market. 

Iglesias is coming off a 3-year contract that he signed with the Cincinnati Reds back in 2019, earning $9M in his one and only season with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021. It would be difficult to find a closer who's been more consistently successful over the past five years, saving an average of 31 games in the four full seasons, including 34 this year.

With top closers making double his 2021 salary, he's due to get paid. Here are three teams who should be front and center to sign him:

1. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies bullpen has been a total disaster area the past few seasons, and there are few teams who have post-season aspirations that could use Iglesias more than the Phils.

They acquired Ian Kennedy from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline, and he performed decently enough, converting 10 of 13 save opportunities. But Kennedy, also a free agent, will be 37 next season, and doesn't have anywhere near the track record—or the stuff—of Iglesias. The Phillies should be first in line here.

2. Boston Red Sox

Another team with playoff aspirations, and a shaky 'pen. The year started well enough for Matt Barnes as the anointed closer, but he took a hard fall from grace in the second half. The BoSox used a handful of different closing candidates throughout September, going with a bullpen-by-committee. Iglesias would solve a lot of problems here.

3. Los Angeles Angels

One thing is for certain: Iglesias would prefer to stay in Anaheim. “One of the main priorities going into the offseason, going into free agency," said Iglesias, "is hopefully re-signing with this team."

The big question, as posited by Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, is whether the Angles will shell out the money required to re-sign him. There's no question the team is anxious to build a winner around superstars Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, but the Angels' starting staff is such a mess, that there might not be a lot of games to save. 

“My main priority is listening first and foremost to what the Angels have to offer me,” he said. “That’s my No. 1 right now. If nothing gets settled and I don’t sign, I am excited to hear what other teams have to offer.”

The ball is in the Angels' court. Or, rather, bullpen.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports