With Edwin Díaz off the board and Devin Williams locked up, the winter’s closer market has entered a new phase, and Robert Suarez is now squarely in the spotlight. As the top remaining option, the 35-year-old right-hander finds himself in high demand, with a mix of contending and bullpen-hungry teams jockeying for position in the chase for late-inning stability. MLB.com reports that the Mets, Blue Jays, and Braves have emerged as the most aggressive suitors, while Francys Romero adds the Cubs to the growing list of interested clubs.
Elite Production, but a Complicated Resume
It’s not difficult to understand why Suarez has become the belle of the bullpen ball. Over the past two seasons, he’s delivered elite production: a 2.87 ERA, 3.17 FIP, and 76 saves in just under 135 innings. In 2024, Suarez struck out nearly 28% of batters faced while keeping his walk rate under 6%. That 21.9% strikeout-minus-walk rate ranked 26th among all qualified relievers, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most efficient weapons in high-leverage spots.
Still, age and injury history are complicating factors. Suarez is heading into his age-35 season, and a 2023 campaign limited to 26 appearances due to injury will likely give front offices some pause. Even so, the quality of his recent work is pushing his projected market into the upper tier. MLB Trade Rumors pegs him for a three-year, $48 million contract, a hefty but not unheard-of deal for clubs seeking back-end dominance.
Braves Bullpen Depth Could Limit Spending
For the Braves, already armed with Raisel Iglesias and a bullpen full of multi-million-dollar arms, adding Suarez might seem like a luxury. But the Braves have never been shy about spending on relief pitching. Iglesias, Joe Jimenez, and Aaron Bummer are all under significant deals, and the front office has made a habit of investing heavily in late-inning depth. Whether Suarez would serve as a closer or a fireman remains a question, but in a competitive National League, marginal advantages in the pen matter.
Cubs and Mets Appear to Be Stronger Fits
The Cubs, by contrast, are operating with more obvious needs. The bullpen exodus, Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, Andrew Kittredge, and Drew Pomeranz are all gone, has created a vacuum in the later innings. Yes, Phil Maton and Daniel Palencia provide internal options, but Suarez would offer a level of experience and reliability unmatched on their current roster. That said, Chicago’s hesitance to hand out multi-year deals to relievers may be a stumbling block. They haven’t committed multiple years to a bullpen arm since Craig Kimbrel in 2019, and Suarez’s price tag would dwarf the two-year deal Maton just received.
The Mets and Blue Jays arguably remain the most seamless fits. Both clubs have the need, the payroll flexibility, and the urgency. New York’s pursuit of Díaz even after acquiring Williams suggests they’re aiming to double down on bullpen dominance. With Díaz now headed to L.A., Suarez becomes the logical pivot. Toronto, too, has been seeking a proven high-leverage arm to complement Jeff Hoffman, and Suarez’s mix of stuff and recent success ticks all the boxes.
But time is not on the side of teams still browsing the market. The elite options are dwindling. While names like Tyler Rogers or Pete Fairbanks offer alternatives, none bring Suarez’s recent track record in the ninth. Clubs like the Marlins or White Sox might be monitoring from the sidelines, but it’s hard to envision either writing the kind of check Suarez is about to cash.
One way or another, Robert Suarez is about to land a deal that reflects his standing as the top remaining closer on the board. For contenders needing a proven finisher, the clock is ticking.
