The San Diego Padres are reportedly looking into trading some of their key players to manage their payroll and address roster gaps. Although no trades are expected soon, general manager A.J. Preller is actively tracking the market and assessing potential trade candidates. One player who could be on the move is 33-year-old right-hander Robert Suárez, who has been a standout for the Padres. Moving him this offseason could help the team improve other areas of their roster.
Padres Should Consider Trading Robert Suárez
Suárez joined the Padres in 2021 following several successful seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Hanshin Tigers. Although he dealt with injuries during his rookie MLB season, he quickly established himself as a key member of the Padres’ bullpen, becoming a dynamic setup man for former closer Josh Hader. His strong performance led to a five-year, $46 million contract after the 2022 season when he opted out of his initial deal.
Although Suárez’s contract was well-deserved, he may soon have the chance to secure an even larger deal. He is set to make $10 million in 2025, but he holds an opt-out clause that he is expected to exercise in search of a more lucrative contract. While an extension is still a possibility, the Padres’ recent financial decisions make that seem unlikely. Trading Suárez this offseason could be the best move for the Padres to maximize value and acquire valuable assets while his trade value remains high.
A Rollercoaster Season
In his first year as the Padres’ closer, Suárez excelled early on, posting a 1.67 ERA with 22 saves and 35 strikeouts before the All-Star break, establishing himself as one of the league’s top closers. However, his performance took a downturn in the second half, with a 4.28 ERA and 13 earned runs, including several blown saves, sparking speculation about a potential change at closer.
Despite these struggles, Suárez bounced back and kept his role through the postseason. Still, his inconsistent second-half performance raises concerns. Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla has been working with Suárez on diversifying his pitching repertoire to move beyond his fastball-heavy approach. It remains uncertain whether these adjustments will be effective. If the Padres fear his performance could continue to decline in 2025, this could be the right moment to trade him and capitalize on his value.
Current Closer Market
Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently pointed out that the closer market has been slow to take shape, with several notable names still available. One of those is former Padres pitcher Tanner Scott, although his asking price is beyond what San Diego can afford. However, this market situation may benefit the Padres.
Teams looking for budget-friendly bullpen options might consider Suárez as a viable alternative to more expensive free agents, even if he is only a one-year option. His age, All-Star status, and affordability could make him a more appealing choice than veterans like Kirby Yates or Kenley Jansen. Furthermore, the Yankees’ recent trade for Devin Williams indicates that teams are exploring trades rather than relying solely on free agency. It’s likely that Preller is already receiving inquiries about Suárez.
Padres’ Bullpen Depth
One reason the Padres might consider trading Suárez is their strong bullpen depth. Even with Scott expected to leave, the team has multiple reliable options in high-leverage situations. Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada are both viable candidates for the closer role, while Yuki Matsui, Bryan Hoeing, and Sean Reynolds add extra depth to the bullpen.
Matsui, a 29-year-old lefty entering his second MLB season after moving from Japan, could emerge as a breakout reliever in 2025. The Padres have high expectations for his growth and believe he can make significant strides. The same is true for Reynolds. With this bullpen depth, San Diego is well-equipped to manage Suárez’s departure while addressing other team needs.
For a team balancing payroll concerns with the need to upgrade its roster, trading Suárez makes sense. His current value, combined with the bullpen depth, provides Preller the flexibility to pursue deals that strengthen the Padres’ overall roster.
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