Despite the Philadelphia Phillies' public show of satisfaction with their roster ahead of the 2025 season, the front office is still working behind the scenes to improve the team. At least, we hope and assume Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski and his staff are working hard.
The Phillies' late-inning bullpen depth could still use a boost. They signed former All-Star closer Jordan Romano, hoping for a bounce-back from injuries in 2024, and veteran Joe Ross. But after losing key pieces Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez to free agency, the Phillies' current late-inning options have some question marks. They can fish in the free agent waters or look to a trade.
Phillies should check in on Padres' 'most logical' trade piece Robert Suarez
That's where the San Diego Padres and closer Robert Suarez come in. After losing out on Roki Sasaki to the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers, nobody is really sure what the next steps are in San Diego, per MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. They haven't made any notable acquisitions and might be unwilling to exceed the luxury tax threshold.
"As things currently stand, the Padres are right up against the first Collective Bargaining tax threshold," per Cassavell. "It’s unclear whether they’re willing to exceed that mark, but given their inactivity so far this winter … it seems unlikely right now."
Cassavell speculates as to whether trades are on the horizon for the Padres in that case. They have several good chips right now, including Luis Arraez, Dylan Cease, Jake Cronenworth, Michael King and Suarez.
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand feels that Suarez is the most logical trade option.
"Suarez feels like the most logical given the Padres’ strong bullpen, which also includes Jason Adam, Jeremiah Estrada and Adrian Morejon," Feinsand wrote earlier this month. "Suarez is set to earn $10 million this season and has a two-year, $16 million club option that must be exercised or declined at the end of the 2025 World Series, which presents an intriguing option for any club potentially acquiring the All-Star closer."
The 33-year-old right-hander just completed his third season in the league and carries a career 18-7 record with a 2.89 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 140 1/3 relief innings. He posted a 2.77 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 2024, collecting 36 saves in 42 chances for San Diego.
The Phillies like high velocity coming out of the bullpen, and with Suarez relying on his 99.1 mph four-seamer 71 percent of the time, he'd fit right in. He also mixes in a 98.8 mph sinker (16 percent usage) and 91.1 mph changeup (13 percent usage).
Suarez will turn 34 before Opening Day, but his contract structure, with the two-year, $16 million option after the 2025 season would give the Phillies some flexibility. They could cut bait after the season or extend the 2024 All-Star through his age-36 season, for a rather affordable $8 million per year.
The two key sticking points are whether the Padres will indeed sell off pieces and how much Dombrowski and company would be willing to part with to take on the extra payroll now that they're above the top luxury tax threshold. They would end up paying more for Suarez's $10 million salary thanks to the 110 percent tax, but it's worth kicking the tires, especially if they can move some other salary off the roster in the deal.