The Dodgers are among the teams with interest in free agent closer Robert Suarez, report Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic. L.A.’s interest in adding a high-leverage reliever is well-known, but Ardaya and Woo write that they’d prefer that to be on a shorter-term commitment.
Suarez, who turns 35 in Spring Training, might be the ideal candidate. The length of his deal will be capped by his age and he’s among the best relievers available. Suarez has posted a sub-3.00 ERA in three of his four seasons since signing with the Padres during the 2021-22 offseason. That includes a 2.97 mark across a career-high 69 2/3 innings this past season. He led the National League with 40 saves in 45 tries and has an MLB-high 76 saves over the last two years.
One of the hardest throwers in the sport, Suarez averaged 98.6 MPH on his fastball. He has dominated hitters from both sides of the plate over the course of his career, as his changeup gives him a weapon against left-handed batters. He punched out 27.9% of opponents against a career-low 5.9% walk rate this year. Suarez doesn’t get quite as many whiffs as one might expect based on the velocity — he essentially hasn’t thrown a breaking ball in the last two years — but it’s difficult to argue the track record.
MLBTR predicted Suarez to receive a three-year, $48MM contract. A three-year deal should be the ceiling, and it’s not out of the question that he’s limited to two years at a premium annual value. As Front Office subscribers can find on MLBTR’s Contract Tracker, there have only been two three-year deals for a 35-year-old reliever over the past decade. Those came at $7-8MM annually, well below what Suarez will command. Not since Mariano Rivera has a reliever this age pulled a three-year contract on eight figure salaries. Suarez will probably take aim at snapping that streak.
Edwin Díaz is the best free agent reliever, but he’s reportedly seeking a five-year contract that approaches or exceeds $100MM. Suarez is the next-best option. Pete Fairbanks, Luke Weaver, Brad Keller, Kyle Finnegan and old friend Kenley Jansen are also unsigned. While Fairbanks has been a Dodger target in past trade talks, Woo and Ardaya report that L.A. is not among the various teams in his market as a free agent.
The Dodgers have left-handers Alex Vesia and Tanner Scott as their top internal leverage arms. Blake Treinen, Brock Stewart and Brusdar Graterol come with performance and/or injury questions. They saw Michael Kopech and Kirby Yates hit free agency and non-tendered Evan Phillips last month.
Cutting Phillips was a formality, as he was headed into his final season of arbitration control. The former closer underwent Tommy John surgery in June and might miss the entire 2026 season. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times last month that the Dodgers were interested in re-signing the righty, presumably on a two-year contract. Friedman said that Phillips may prefer to wait to sign until after he resumes a throwing program, so it’s possible he’ll remain on the open market all winter.
And the Pads are doing… what?
reducing payroll
@mostlytoasty
They already reduced payroll. It will remain at its current level. That level allows them about $20 million or so to get multiple starting pitchers, and maybe a first baseman.
The one position the Padres need the least is a closer. They have Mason Miller, Adrian Morejon, Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada, all of whom are good enough to be closers on half the teams in the league. That is why either Miller or Morejon will likely be converted to a starter, if not both.
All 4 of these players threw between 60-80 innings a season the last few years. Not saying that any conversion to starter efforts won’t ultimately be successful but if you’re relying on a conversion, or two, to actually work and make a significant difference (vs losing back-end excellence) for the season, that’s a few rolls of the dice to be sure.
Hoping and praying someone will quickly bail them out of the financial sh$t show they are starring in.
Since you asked, what have the Dodgers done?
Past history shows both teams will make splashes.
What about future history?
My magic 8-ball says the future is murky.
Applying for membership the Pacific Coast League.
Padres don’t have a bullpen problem. They really don’t need Suarez.
Suarez was what the 4th best reliever on the team. Miller, Morejon, Adam at the very least were better. They have 12-16 pen options as it is.
They need starters.
No mention of Edgardo Henriquez in the article, that is an oversight, he was their best reliever down the stretch last season. Henriquez is a legitimate arm and should be in the late inning mix next season.
Suarez steps into close and is the best pitcher available but he upsets the apple cart some. I’d stick with Scott as my closer and sign Luke Weaver. If Scott bombs, Henriquez could take over closing duties.
I would have given the Forgotten Man Award to Jack Dryer. He pitched far more innings than Henriquez, at least as well, and doesn’t have a problem finding the plate. He also works a mean Rubik’s Cube.
Probably the most insecure team in the league…
Those insecure Back-2-Back Champs. Feels good, man….
The back to back champs are insecure? Sounds intelligent.
It’s called being all in on winning. Optimizing every opportunity to win. Why wouldn’t you?
@ Dodgers Fan.. Seems like its only bad when its someone else’s team doing it.
Cohen,
I’m confused by your post.
Are you saying the dodgers are good or bad for being all in?
The Mets are trying to go all in. But they are still in the building stages on many levels. But they have a blueprint and seen to be sticking to it somewhat. It’s a smart move if they make smart moves.
@ Dodgers Fan.. I believe its great. Even when the Mets owner was the horrible Wilpons i still felt that way. I understand why people hate, and i understand (being a long time Mets fan) why fans of other teams feel its unfair. But it is fair. I run my own business, truth is if I can’t make good enough decisions to keep my business running, someone else will. Can’t afford it? Sell it.
Some will argue at my post and some will have really good points, the rules are the rules, it should never be a bad thing to have an owner of any team going all in to win. It’s what we’re here for. Plus the Brewers, Rays, A’s, Guardians and Marlins have all shown a well run organization can be there at the end without the payroll. Owners should be forced to sell if they can’t afford it. The real unfairness is when loyal fans pay good money and spend valuable time to watch a product not worth it. Sorry for the long post.
If one of you or “The Dodgers” are insecure, based on your comment, I’m definitely picking you
“Obsolete”
Another insecure fool
That’s hilarious. Even if the Dodgers didn’t spend on free agents, they have the best farm system in baseball.
Are you going to complain they have too many good prospects even when they draft at the end of every round because they win so much?
They’ve set themselves up to win now and later. With big payroll or under any system MLB comes up with.
But yes by all means, pray for a salary cap.
@another Dodgers Fan the Dodgers farm system and prospects are ALWAYS overrated. You say they are set up to compete even without the money but yet they have what…2 homegrown starters (Smith, Pages) and that includes their rotation? They would look like the Pirates or any other team that doesn’t spend money without the money.
But as an example…the Braves always have a poorly rated farm but currently have 5 of their 8 position players homegrown. 3 have been all-stars/silver sluggers, 3 won ROY and 1 was an MVP. And it could easily be 7 of 8 with Dodger money as they’d still have Dansby and Freddie. Every time I hear about a Dodger top prospect or their highly rated farm I chuckle.
CC
“the Dodgers farm system and prospects are ALWAYS overrated”
You have failed to make your point
To make your point you need to show that Dodger prospects rated #1 do worse than other prospects rated #1. And Dodger prospects rated #2 do worse than other prospects rated #2. And do on.
You’ve proven nothing and not even given any evidence
Best farm never seems to get teams anywhere. It seems like a few key prospects, additions through trades and FA, and a long term committment to winning is the best way.
Hilarious. I just spit out my coffee, that was so moronic.
@Gapper What is the name of this fantasy world you live in where MLB players are going to stand up and say, “Please severely limit my future earning capabilities so fans of poorly run teams can pretend to “compete”…
The Dodgers should just sign 10 starters and no relievers. Starters are better anyway, go longer and then they are all set again for the playoffs!
Everyone can throw 3-5 innings(except the Yamamota god who will throw more) every 3-4 days and they are set.
Dodgers pretty much already have ten starters.
1 Ohtani
2 Yamamoto
3 Snell
4 Glasnow
5 Sasaki
6 Sheehan
7 Ryan
8 Stone
9 Knack
10 Casparius
11 Wrobleski
12 Hurt
oh f*** off
Matt are you upset big guy?
Ease off. He moved his fingers. It’s a start.
Lol
He’s totally worth it and never blows it in big spots because he can only get his fastball over for strikes.
I have nothing but the Dodgers’ best interests at heart here.
Informed – I see what you are doing there!
Sure why not
I would only sign a closer to a long term deal if it was done early like the Mariners with Andres Munoz, otherwise it should just be year to year.
You’re probably never signing a closer, then.
Or other high-leverage reliever. Or you’re signing them to massive one-year deals
Dodgers linked to every remaining FA, essentially. Why stop buying rings?!
And they have the number 1 farm system 😂
Thats right..Ohtani, Freeman, Mookie, Snell, Yamamoto, Sasaki all came through the farm!
Freeman was abandoned by the Braves, Mookie traded by the Red Sox, Angels did not match Dodgers offer for Ohtani, Snell, Yoshi, and Sasaki chose the Dodgers over the same offers elsewhere. Winning culture beats highest bids.
They’ve never been linked to Bregman.
Yeah, cause we don’t sign cheaters
Where is this ring store where you can go buy them? Asking for a friend.. (ok, it’s the Mets, Yankees, Padres, Angels, Blue Jays and Phillies)
This is the best news that David Stearns has had this week!
Dodgers should go 4/80
Sign Suarez and deal Tanner Scott for Javy Baez. Javy playa at another level in the playoffs…bad contract swap, fishing for bouncebacks at positions of need.
If the Madres lose Suarez then who is left to drill Ohtani in the back for retaliation when Tatis leans into the next inside fastball, 3 inches off the plate?
Miller
Kopech to Sacramento. Sign him up for 5 years with 3 of those obviously in Vegas. Vegas A’ns World Series champs ‘28 and ‘29
One year for ridiculous ca$hi$h. Take it or leave it. Do not want him for more than a single season and definitely okay if it doesn’t come to pass with him joining LAD.
LAD would likely resign Phillips at a slightly lower rate and see if he can compete again this season. Chances are decent tho, that another squad will throw a guaranteed 1-2 year contract at him so I’d rate Phillips returning to LA at 50-50.
Phillips is out for the year.
One thing we often don’t know about these current/former closers is how much they insist on being the closer. That’s the one thing the Dodgers can’t promise, as they go with matchups rather than the inning.
That has not worked out too well for them. I still think they go for the splashy Diaz here. Lock up that 9th.
It worked out for them in 24, but not in 25. Funny how the same strategy can have different results year to year.
They blew out all the bullpen arms to win 2024.
2025 bullpen is the result of that, and was somewhat expected. That’s why the Yates and Scott seasons hurt so badly. They were supposed to be the buffer while the bullpen arms recovered. It didn’t work out as planned, obviously.
no one could have predicted Scott’s spiral in 25, He was nothing but elite for Pads and in his career up to last year. Have to believe he’ll get back on track. Suarez has been solid and has a great closer mentality, but with his inability to develop another pitch (successfully) other than his fastball has made him more predictable to hitters.
Brew,
Yeah I honestly didn’t know much about Scott when they signed him so I didn’t know what to expect. Hoping he has a rebound this season.
I know it’s late in the game, but if any team can get another pitch out of Suarez, I think the Dodgers can. Could you imagine the Japanese pitchers showing him the fork ball?
Ruben Niebla worked with him on developing his change up which works great when he can locate it. He falls out of confidence in it though and settles on fastballs. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a terrific pitcher.
It’s interesting to speculate. But really I never know what pieces the Dodgers are going to get. Outside of returning players.
They only have a few slots to fill on the team, so I’m hoping for something interesting. Alex Call wasn’t on my mid season bingo card last year lol
Yeah I mean what do you guys even need? Personally I think last year’s RP debacle was freakishly unique and not likely to repeat itself. The talent is still there. They probably don’t need Suarez or any front line close type but they certainly have the means to add via FA.. Maybe just another solid fresh arm or two for middle relief. They can always add a closer type at the TD if they need to.
We have good arms in the pen, but many hadn’t been tested in high leverage prior to the world series extra inning games.
Plenty of high velocity guys there with good secondary stuff. Hopefully with that experience in their back pocket they’ll have the confidence to form something similar to the 2024 bullpen.
I honestly think missing Vesia extended the world series. Hoping he and his wife find some peace. And I’m glad he wasn’t on the roster so he could concentrate on true priorities.
A legit lockdown closer. Maybe Scott will get his head straight or whatever it requires and be that guy as they expected, but short of that happening, closing out games is going to be an adventure again. If not for all the bullpen losses last season, they would win 105 games, easy.
Yeah but everyone knows the Dodgers aren’t interested in regular season titles.
So expecting huge win totals isn’t realistic. If it happens, it means everyone is healthy the entire season, more than anything else.
The point being, a porous bullpen loses games, regular and postseason. And right up to September at least, the Dodgers bullpen was frighteningly bad, and it didn’t get that much better. This is why they had to use Yamamoto to close out the series. They got away with it, but only just barely. It didn’t have to be that way, it just was.
I don’t see the bullpen having nearly as many issues in the upcoming season.
Who saw it coming last year? They had seemingly made some of the right moves. None of them worked out. When that happens, new moves seem to be suggested.
KLEIN!
went to the top of the mountain and back. that confidence has to add something big to whatever his talents are to this point. sure to get innings in 26.
Seriously? Sure, we saw him gut it out for one World Series game (because they’d used everybody else), and it made him a folk hero. But then, reality: He’s got a grand total of 22 major league innings under his belt, and neither it nor his work in the minors shouts “I am the answer.”
So the choice is they can bulk up the back end of the bullpen by making an addition, or hope that someone on the roster steps up. Guess which option gives them a better chance at a three-peat?
Not sure he will sign for a one-year deal, but giving any relief pitcher a multi-year deal is bad business.
Giving a 35-year old reliever without a long track record multiple years is pure insanity.
Can’t see the Dodgers making a bad investment over multiple years in Suarez.
Here’s a special prize for you, Mr. Sad Face: 🙁
Or listen to ELOs Mr Blue Sky, that will cheer you up