Contending teams are always eager to bolster their bullpens in July, particularly by adding closers and late-inning relievers. It’s a familiar trend that repeats every year around the trade deadline.
Typically, closers are acquired from teams looking to sell. Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report proposed that the San Diego Padres might consider dealing closer, even though they’re currently in the playoff mix.
“Trading arguably the best closer in baseball while in the middle of a postseason push would be an unconventional move,” Miller wrote. “But if the season ended today, there’s virtually no doubt He would opt out of the final two years of his contract.”
He, a 34-year-old All-Star, could likely command a contract similar to the four-year, $72 million deal Tanner Scott received this past offseason. Should San Diego decide to trade him, both the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers would be logical destinations.
Philadelphia has gotten strong performances from Jose Alvarado, Joe Ross, Matt Strahm, and Tanner Banks, but the addition of Jordan Romano has not worked out. Suarez could provide a powerful late-inning duo with Alvarado.
Meanwhile, Texas has seen consistent relief efforts from Chris Martin, Robert Garcia, Hoby Milner, and Shawn Armstrong. But current closer Luke Jackson has struggled, posting a 6.00 ERA in 15 outings.
“Texas is almost guaranteed to look for a closer,” Miller noted. “Atlanta might be in the mix too if Raisel Iglesias continues to struggle. Boston could become a candidate depending on Aroldis Chapman’s consistency. But there’s always a team in urgent need of a closer, and the Padres might take advantage of that demand.”
Although Miller didn’t explicitly name the Phillies, they did pursue a high-end closer at last year’s deadline, acquiring Carlos Estevez. A similar move this year isn’t out of the question, and both the Phillies and Rangers could end up competing for Suarez’s services.
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