The Padres announced they’ve signed reliever Robert Suárez to a one-year, major league contract. The deal also contains a player option for the 2023 campaign.
Suárez has never appeared in the big leagues. The Venezuela native has spent the past five seasons pitching in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, emerging as a shutdown closer the last two years. Between 2020-21, the right-hander saved 67 games for the Hanshin Tigers. He reportedly attracted some big league interest last offseason on the heels of a 2.24 ERA in 2020, but Suárez elected to return to the Nishinomiya-based club for a second season.
The 30-year-old (31 in March) backed up his prior success with another great showing this year. Suárez dominated to the tune of a 1.16 ERA across 62 1/3 frames. His peripherals were equally impressive, as the righty struck out 25.3% of opposing hitters against a minuscule 3.5% walk percentage.
The Padres have made two bullpen pick-ups this afternoon. Suárez’s deal comes just hours after the team finalized a two-year contract with former Cardinals reliever Luis Garcia.
With all this early action, I wish there was a potential lockout every December 1st! Just kidding.
I actually prefer the drawn out offseason. It’s more exciting for a few days in shorter offseasons but the rest of the months are very boring. Basketball, hockey and football are only interesting for a week. I love the anticipation and rumors for months with baseball. The whole offseason is interesting instead of just one week. It’s fun now but next month we will all be bored. I like making predictions all winter. I can see how some like it this way tho.
Let’s see what Suarez and Garcia have. Excited to see what they bring.
Hopefully they grab a starter or 2 for depth. Wonder if they’re go after Seiya Suzuki
I know it won’t happen, but I think Freddie Freeman might be the missing piece on this Padres team. They need an impact bat and some better leadership, and Freeman checks both boxes.
Not happening with Freddie. If they add an impact bat it will be a corner OF.
Do you mean another impact bat in Alfaro another catcher? WTF? 3 catchers but little outfield and infielder depth
I know it’s just a fantasy. Even if he doesn’t resign with the Braves the Padres would somehow have to move Hosmer, which is seemingly impossible without paying one of Gore, Hassell or Campusano, and they’re all way too valuable in a depleted farm system to move for nothing.
I’d settle for Anthony Rizzo at this point. But yeah that’s not happening either.
Glad this is a 1 year deal. Upside with Suarez is there, but his lack of MLB experience is a big IF.
Padres press release says it’s a 1 year with a player option for the 2nd year.
Not a knock on anyone in particular, but across all reporting I feel like there’s never any consistency with whether something is reported as like a 2 year with an opt out as opposed to a 1 year with an opt in. They’re practically the same thing but really changes the perception.
In before the shiver timbers dude
After Stroman, no more pitching left just retreads…Padres need another big bat or two, it’s time to go to war against the LA !!! I was not happy with finishing 28 games back this past year!!
With the current state of health of Padres starting pitchers I think the Padres need to acquire at least three quality starting pitchers to be competitive. How many have they acquired to this point? Zero. I wouldn’t count on the Padres making any great strides in total wins for 2022. Too many question marks in pitching. Never mind the on-going drama of Tatis and his shoulder.
The line up took a nose-dive last year as well. Sorry guys but I don’t see how the Padres will be relevant in 2022. Too many holes in the pitching staff and stagnant, inconsistent bats.
Preller should contact Avila to dump salary since Al is unable to call due to brain malfunction.