Padres Rumors: Robert Suarez trade interest, update on Luis Arraez, Roki Sasaki sweepstakes

With the dealings of MLB free agency still in full swing, a number of San Diego Padres have been named in mock trades and signings that are sure to entertain a fan looking for the next blockbuster move. Having been relatively quiet this off-season, the Padres are looking to shed payroll, and could do so by trading away some of their best players. As talks around three-time batting champ Luis Arraez continue to progress, a new name, Robert Suarez, has entered the conversation as a name to keep an eye on in the trade market.

However, just as much as the Padres are trying to shed payroll and players, they are also looking to buy. The Roki Sasaki saga is, of course, still ongoing. With the Padres and a number of other teams in the mix to sign the Japanese pitching star, making a sure-fire prediction as to where he lands seems impossible.

Robert Suarez

Coming off a year where he finished fourth in the league in saves and received his first All-Star selection, Robert Suarez can easily be called one of the league's better closers. Now entering his fourth year with the Padres, Suarez is set to make $9.2 million in 2025, with an opt-out available in 2026. Suarez's option to opt-out of his remaining two years with the Padres is notable, as he is currently the 17th highest paid reliever in the league and could be looking for more money.

To try and avoid losing Suarez while receiving nothing in return, the Padres have been open to trade talks involving the 33-year-old. Although exact details regarding what teams are interested in Suarez are unknown, it is safe to say the Padres will be looking for a large return based on the current relief pitcher market. With Jeff Hoffman recently landing himself a $33 million deal with the Blue Jays, and San Diego's mid-season acquisition Tanner Scott expecting a deal around the $20 million a year, a premier closer like Suarez on an undervalued contract is sure to draw attention.

Luis Arraez

Rumors around the 2025 status of contact machine Luis Arraez have been swirling since the start of the off season. The 2024 mid-season trade acquisition from the Marlins has proven to be one of the best contact hitters in the game, but his recently signed $14 million deal to avoid arbitration has placed the Padres in a precarious spot. Looking to shed payroll, another large contract like this one is exactly what the Padres did not need, and trading Arraez away may be the only way to salvage the situation.

Although the team has expressed their desire to keep the first baseman/DH, the possible return from most plausible suitors the New York Yankees may be too hard to pass up. Looking for a high on base percentage guy to put before Aaron Judge in the batting order, the Yankees see Arraez as the best option. Knowing this, the Padres have leverage, and could use this to bolster their starting rotation, which is in desperate need of help. Marcus Stroman struggled in his first year with the Yankees, but could be a positive addition as a backend of the rotation starter.

Will Warren has also been mentioned in trade talks as a potential addition for San Diego. The 25-year-old had downright bad stats in his only five starts last season, giving up 26 earned runs in 22.2 innings, but there is still upside for the Yankees seventh ranked prospect.

Roki Sasaki

The Roki Sasaki saga is another one that seems to be never ending. With the international free agency period opening on January 15th, teams are making their final pushes to win over the 23-year-old, and some including the Padres are going to extreme lengths.

First reported in The Athletic, the Padres have informed certain international free agents who were expecting to be signed to San Diego that they are free to seek deals elsewhere, a wild decision by a team that has routinely had major success in the international market. With Sasaki fever seemingly spreading to the entire league, and with NL West rivals Los Angeles Dodgers being listed as one of the top teams to land the star, the Padres are pulling out all the stops.

As new reports of Sasaki meeting with the Blue Jays have surfaced, the Padres have yet another team to compete with. San Diego however, has been touted as having one of the best chances to sign Sasaki, based on market size, pitching development, and competitiveness of the team.