The New York Yankees might have a completely different-looking bullpen next season, which could be a bit worrisome.
If the Yankees allow guys like Luke Weaver and Devin Williams to walk in free agency, there will be many questions for them to answer on that front.
Fortunately for the Yankees, there are some decent closers and relievers in general available, including right-handed Robert Suarez of the San Diego Padres.
With the Padres potentially allowing some of their top players to walk due to the need to cut costs, someone like Suarez could be a possibility for the Yankees.
While he might want to stay on the West Coast, I believe he’d be one of the better additions in baseball if the Yankees could land him.
When examining possible free agents for the Yankees, it sounds like he’s a possibility, with Chris Kirshner of The Athletic ranking him among the top 10 free agents for New York to pursue.
“Edwin Díaz is the best available closer, with Suarez right behind him. The New York Mets extended the qualifying offer to Díaz, which means landing him would cost the Yankees their second- and fifth-highest selections in the 2026 draft, as well as $1 million from their international bonus pool for the upcoming signing period. Those penalties are a bit rich for a closer, albeit a great one. But if the Yankees do go after someone with a qualifying offer attached, it should be Tucker...
“Suárez had 40 saves and a 2.97 ERA this season for the San Diego Padres. His ERA was slightly inflated by two poor outings in which he allowed five runs while recording only one out. Pairing Suarez and Bednar at the back end of the Yankees’ bullpen would give them one of the best one-two punches in baseball,” he wrote.
If there's one concern with Suarez, it's the fact that he's already 34 years old. He isn't too old, but the reality is, his stuff could eventually decline due to his age.
Throughout the 2025 season, Suarez wasn't as good as he was in 2024, but he still posted a 2.97 ERA and struck out 75 hitters in 69.2 innings.