Closers and late-inning relievers are always hot commodities in July as playoff contenders look to strengthen their bullpens. This is a yearly trend in baseball, with most teams acquiring closers from clubs that are selling at the trade deadline. According to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, the San Diego Padres might consider parting ways with their closer, Robert Suarez—even though they’re still in the postseason race.“Dealing perhaps the top closer in the game while still competing for a playoff spot would be highly unconventional,” Miller noted. “But if the season ended today, Suarez would almost certainly opt out of the final two years of his contract. At 34, the All-Star could command a contract similar to the four-year, $72 million deal that Tanner Scott landed this past winter.”
Should the Padres decide to trade Suarez, the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers would be logical suitors. The Phillies have gotten solid performances from Jose Alvarado, Joe Ross, Matt Strahm, and Tanner Banks, though Jordan Romano has struggled significantly. Adding Suarez could give Philadelphia a dominant late-inning duo with Alvarado.
Meanwhile, the Rangers have seen dependable outings from relievers Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Hoby Milner, and Shawn Armstrong. But current closer Luke Jackson has posted a concerning 6.00 ERA over 15 games. “Texas is almost guaranteed to pursue a closer,” Miller wrote. He also noted that teams like Atlanta and possibly Boston could enter the mix depending on the performance of their current bullpen arms.
Although Miller didn’t name the Phillies directly, they made a notable trade for closer Carlos Estevez at last year’s deadline and could be poised to make another big move. A bidding war between the Phillies and Rangers for Suarez might be on the horizon.