Robert Suarez is likely to opt out of his contract after this season. The Padres should use the All-Star closer to fill other needs on the roster.

Reports are pouring in that A.J. Preller is willing to deal away a Padre on an expiring deal. That would be Dylan Cease, Luis Arraez, and yes, Robert Suarez. Technically, Suarez’s contract runs through 2027. However, there is a player opt-out after this year. Given his All-Star-level play as the Padres’ closer over the last few seasons, he will likely command a deal north of the $8 million he is owed next year.

The growing belief is that Suarez will opt out after this season and become a free agent. For that reason, it makes sense for Preller to field trade offers for the Padres’ closer to try and solidify other, bigger holes on the roster.

Suarez’s market may have received a boost thanks to the suspension of Emmanuel Clase of the Guardians. That’s one less premier closer teams have available to boost their needy bullpens. Meanwhile, the Padres have a glut of top-tier relievers. So much so, in fact, that manager Mike Shildt donned them the “Four Horsemen.” Adrian Morejon or Jason Adam could certainly slide into the closer role.

Let’s try and link up an MLB team who needs bullpen help with Suarez in exchange for something the Padres need.

The Padres should try to trade Suarez to the American League. Trading him to a contending NL team, whom they may face in a playoff matchup, is unwise—at least delay that possible reunion until the World Series, where the odds are a lot longer.

Yankees

If you’re plugged in at all to the Yankees fanbase, they are in full-blown panic mode about their bullpen situation. Over the last month, the only bullpen with a worse ERA than the Yankees is the lowly Rockies. They need help in the bullpen, and fast. Suarez would solve a lot of issues for the New York Yankees. After all, Suarez has converted 30 of 34 save opportunities and ranks

What could Preller pry from the Yankees for Suarez?

Ben Rice is reportedly drawing trade interest. He is a left-handed hitting catcher and first baseman, along with DH. His batted ball numbers are impressive, being in the 94th percentile for expected WOBA and 92nd percentile in exit velocity. The Padres need more power, and Rice provides that with his 15 homers. His 115 OPS+ would rank third-best in the current Padres lineup.

The catch is, he isn’t a free agent until 2030. Meaning, the Yankees will expect more than just a reliever on an expiring deal for a slugger under contract for four more seasons after this one. This will be need to be a more complicated deal. But the Padres can build it around acquiring a lefty power hitter who is under team control on the cheap. Even if Rice doesn’t solve the Padres’ catching issues, as it’s still up for debate if Rice is truly an MLB-level catcher, his power is most welcome. Plus, he can slide over to first base next year when Luis Arraez leaves in free agency. He would solve the Padres’ need for more power and a possible solution at first base in 2026 and beyond.

Swapping out Rice for Suarez on the payroll also saves the Padres several million dollars this season. They could use that savings in another trade to acquire more help, without breaking the bank.

If the Padres are set on coming away from this trade with Rice, it will be San Diego doing the most buying in this deal. It may even cost the Padres a prospect they don’t want to part with. But think of it as the Padres getting a power bat they desperately need this year and a solid option for first base or even catcher for the next four years.

Possible trade scenario:

Padres get: C/1B Ben Rice

Yankees get: RP Robert Suarez, LHP Kash Mayfield (SD #5),  C/1B Lamar King Jr. (SD #19)

Nick Lee

Native of Escondido, CA. Lived in San Diego area for 20 years. Padres fan since childhood (mid-90s). I have been writing since 2014. I currently live near Seattle, WA and am married to a Seattle sports girl. I wore #19 on my high school baseball team for Tony Gwynn. I am a stats and sports history nerd. I attended BYU on the Idaho campus. I also love Star Wars.