The Padres and assist Robert Suarez have agreed a five-year, $46 million deal with an opt-out after three years, a team source confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday. The agreement is still pending. Here’s what you need to know:
- The deal comes less than a year after Suarez, a former Nippon Professional Baseball standout, signed his first major league contract with San Diego.
- The right-hander pitched 47 2/3 innings during the 2022 regular season and posted a 2.27 ERA with 61 strikeouts.
- The deal means Suarez, 31, is essentially the Padres’ near future; Reigning closer Josh Hader is eligible for free agency after the 2023 season.
MLB reporter Jon Morosi first reported on the new contract.
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Padre’s free agent outlook: Robert Suarez set to cash in after impressive debut
backstory
Suarez first signed with the Padres in December 2021 to a contract that included a $5 million player option for 2023. As expected, he turned down the second-year option.
The Venezuelan spent the last five seasons in the NPB before moving to MLB, posting a 2.81 ERA and 1.161 WHIP in 205 innings.
What has worked for Suarez this year?
Suarez’s success didn’t come as a complete surprise; For the past two years, he had emerged as the dominant closer for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan. Still, the question was how his high-octane stuff would carry over to the majors. The answer: actually quite well. Suarez recovered from a disastrous opening day debut in the big league and later mid-season knee surgery to settle in as the Padres’ primary setup man.
His fastball, which is in three figures, and his changeup were consistent weapons. He installed a cutter that demonstrated his adaptability. And his unshakeable temperament carried over to the biggest stages; Suarez didn’t give up a run in the postseason until game two of the National League Championship Series. He finished with a 3.00 ERA in nine crucial playoff innings. – Lin
Does the contract make sense?
With Hader not far from a free hand, the Padres clearly had to keep Suarez. Still, his new deal is a flashy commitment. Suarez turns 32 on March 1 and longer-term aid deals rarely end in the team’s favour. The Padres have first-hand experience: Drew Pomeranz was also 31 when he received a four-year, $34 million payday from San Diego, and Pomeranz has pitched fewer than 50 innings in the three seasons since.
All in all, Suarez’s impressive debut and other market factors, including Edwin Díaz’s historic contract with the Mets, likely meant the Padres were overpaying to re-sign him. In an ideal world, Suarez remains healthy, performing in the first three years of his new contract and retiring at the age of 34. The risk of this not happening is significant. – Lin
Other off-season Padres priorities
The Padres are still negotiating with the versatile Nick Martinez, who has pulled out of his own deal. Now that Suarez is making a return, if he does return, Martinez should have a relatively clear path to starting games for San Diego in 2023. Regardless of where he signs, the Padres need to add starting pitching. Martinez is considered a back-of-the-rotation arm in that capacity, and Sean Manaea and Mike Clevinger have gone free.
The Padres also have to deal with first base, left field and the designated hitter. Fernando Tatis Jr’s eventual return from suspension should help, but the team could use at least one racquet with some pop. – Lin
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(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / USA Today)