With Devin Williams, Raisel Iglesias, and Ryan Helsley off the board, options at the backend of the bullpen within the free agent market are beginning to shrivel up.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been associated with a host of available names both within the trade market and the free agent pool. It may be unlikely that the team drops $100+ million on Edwin Diaz given his age and the volatility with relievers in general.
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As such, pursuing an option on a short-term deal appears to be what the Dodgers would be more comfortable doing.
Fabian Ardaya and Katie Woo of The Athletic recently penned an article that dove into the entire offseason plan for the Los Angeles Dodgers. One of the nuggets revealed by the two reporters indicated that the Dodgers could move for a closer coming from an NL West rival. It aligns with the notion that LA will seek a difference-maker on a one or two-year deal.
“Los Angeles has also shown interest in former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez, a source said, seeking to go for a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value for the two-time All-Star (who has a 2.91 ERA over the last four seasons).”
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There are some positives and potential negatives pertaining to Suarez. Turning 35 in March, age may be somewhat of a concern. The risk of injury naturally will be higher with a player in their mid-30s. Suarez had some underlying analytics that were not reassuring.
He ranked below the 40th percentile in ground-ball rate, average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage, and barrel percentage. Essentially, Suarez profiles as a fly-ball pitcher that doesn’t limit contact.
On the other side of the coin, Suarez has made back-to-back All-Star appearances. He’s saved 77 games for the Padres over the last two years while compiling a 2.91 ERA the last four years combined. Suarez has a fastball ranked in the 97th percentile in velocity (averaging 98.6 mph on his heater). He’s a strikeout pitcher (83rd percentile) that rarely walks batters — two characteristics emblematic of postseason bullpen success.
Some of the peripherals may be a bit unsettling. However, given Suarez’s production in saving games, coupled with the raw velocity, a short-term deal for the Venezuelan flamethrower does make some real sense given the value monetarily speaking compared to someone like Diaz.
Photo Credit: Dennis Poroy-Imagn Images
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