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Reds sign closer Raisel Iglesias to three-year deal, but trade still a possibility

Chris Cwik
Staff writer

The Cincinnati Reds are making sure they know exactly what closer Raisel Iglesias will make moving forward. Iglesias agreed to a three-year deal with the team Wednesday, which buys out his possible arbitration seasons.

The 28-year-old Iglesias posted a 2.38 ERA over 72 innings in 2018. He saved a career-high 30 games for the Reds.

Iglesias’ new deal isn’t an extension. It merely buys out his remaining years of arbitration with the club. Under Iglesias’ original seven-year, $27 million deal that he signed in 2014, he could opt-out and go to arbitration following the 2018 season.

By doing so, Iglesias would have remained under Reds control, but would have also been eligible for a raise. Under his old deal, Iglesias was set to make $5 million in 2019. In arbitration, he might have seen a higher salary, especially considering how well he played in 2018.

Instead, both Iglesias and the Reds have decided to avoid that process. By doing so, Iglesias presumably received a raise, though contract figures haven’t been released yet.

The Reds benefit from the deal, too. The team now knows exactly what Iglesias will make over the next three seasons. Had Iglesias gone through arbitration, his salary could have fluctuated every year.

While signing a closer long-term might be a strange deal for a team in the middle of a rebuild, Iglesias’ deal could actually make a trade more likely. Now that Iglesias’ yearly salaries are known, that could make him more attractive to other teams. He won’t be subject to arbitration raises, and teams value that cost certainty.

If he’s made available, Iglesias should draw interest on the market. He’s posted a 2.47 ERA over the past three seasons and has been one of the few bright spots for a struggling Reds franchise.

Raisel Iglesias signed a three-year deal with the Reds, but a trade could still happen. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Raisel Iglesias signed a three-year deal with the Reds, but a trade could still happen. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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