If the Braves have learned anything as an organization after watching the team play over the past couple seasons, it’s to expect the unexpected – both in terms of player injuries (of which there have been many) and underperformance of starting players.
That’s why this sportswriter feels that the Braves approach to the offseason will pay off in 2026, as the team’s focus is on finding players who could fill a variety of roles. Let’s take a look at some offseason signings to date below, and identify a few roles that the players may or may not play for the team during the 2026 season & beyond.
Mauricio Dubón
Mauricio Dubón will have a very important role for the Braves in 2026, even if we don’t necessarily know what his role might look like at the beginning of the season. New Braves manager Walt Weiss said of Dubón that, “he protects us in a variety of ways because he can play all over the field. It’s plus defense everywhere he goes…”
Dubón has played at every position except pitcher & catcher, and he’s won two Gold Glove awards, including last season as a utility player while with the Houston Astros. Injuries are bound to happen during the season, so trading away Nick Allen (a Gold Glove-caliber SS who can’t hit) in exchange for Dubón’s services was a brilliant move to supplement the defensive depth of the ballclub & allow for more roster flexibility.
Mike Yastrzemski
“Yaz” signed a two-year, $23M contract with the Braves, and expectations are that he will have a fluid role with the team as he, “will primarily play against right-handed pitchers, and his primary roles will be to serve as either the designated hitter or the left fielder. He can play each of the outfield spots. But a majority of his key defensive starts will come in left because he’s a better defensive option than Jurickson Profar.”
Were Profar to be suspended again or should he get injured at any point during the season, then Yaztrzemski would take over as the team’s primary starter in left field. A fully healthy season from Ronald Acuña Jr. isn’t guaranteed either, so it’s possible that Yaz may see some additional opportunities in right field during the year as well. That versatility (plus his contract) bode well for Yaz’s chances of getting on the field.
Robert Suarez
Robert Suarez was one of the most coveted free agents on the market before signing a 3-year, $45M deal with the Braves after he posted 40 saves with the Padres in 2025. Suarez will have an important role for the team as the primary setup man for closer Raisel Igleisas; however, he’s likely to get additional opportunities to earn saves for the team on nights that Iglesias is unavailable out of the bullpen during the season.
That’s the plan for Suarez’ role to start the year at least; but would it surprise any of us if he overtook Iglesias as the team’s closer at some point during the 2026 season? After all, he’s younger (34) than Iglesias (35), he earned more saves (40) than Iglesias (29) did last year, and he posted a better ERA (2.97) than his counterpart (3.21) did.
His contract is indicative of the team’s plans for him to have a key role with the team beyond 2026 as well, as he’ll make $13M, $16M, and $16M over the next three years. It’s very well possible that the team allows Iglesias to walk next offseason knowing that Suarez could take over the primary closer role for the team in 2027 and beyond.
The Sports Beacon 