In July, contending teams will be actively seeking closers and back-end relievers, a trend that happens every year in baseball. However, most teams that acquire a closer do so from a team selling at the trade deadline. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report suggests that despite the San Diego Padres being in the playoff hunt, they could part ways with closer Robert Suarez.
Miller notes that trading away one of the best closers in baseball while in a playoff push would be an unconventional move. If the season ended today, Suarez would almost certainly opt out of the final two years of his contract. The 34-year-old All-Star could secure a deal similar to the four-year, $72 million contract Tanner Scott received last offseason.
If the Padres decide to move on from Suarez, the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers could be potential suitors. The Phillies have had success with several relievers like Jose Alvarado, Joe Ross, Matt Strahm, and Tanner Banks, but the Jordan Romano experiment has not worked out. Adding Suarez could create a dominant 1-2 punch with Alvarado in the late innings.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have enjoyed success from relievers like Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Hoby Milner, and Shawn Armstrong, but closer Luke Jackson has struggled with a 6.00 ERA over 15 appearances. Miller notes that the Rangers are likely to be in the market for a closer, and Atlanta might also pursue one if Raisel Iglesias continues to struggle. Boston could also become a player in the closer market, but so far, Aroldis Chapman has been effective.
While Miller doesn’t specifically mention the Phillies, the team made a big move last year by acquiring closer Carlos Estevez at the trade deadline. There’s a chance they could do the same for Suarez, setting up a potential bidding war between the Phillies and Rangers.
