Why the San Diego Padres must consider trading All-Star closer at the deadline

The San Diego Padres are going to need to get creative at this year's trade deadline if they want to improve the roster and prepare for a postseason push come October. With fewer top prospects to trade from and a roster in need of major improvements, San Diego might have to trade from its strengths to patch its weaknesses.

Perhaps the best trade chip in San Diego is none other than two-time All-Star closer Robert Suarez. Suarez is having a down year in 2025, but has still been one of the top closers in the league. In fact, he leads the National League with 29 saves, despite a 2-4 record and 3.46 ERA.

Padres could boost roster by dealing All-Star closer

He's also in the last year of club control, with two years of player options after 2025. Suarez could opt out, and would likely command a bigger pay day than the $8 million he would get if he sticks around in San Diego. If Suarez is likely to opt out, it would make sense for the Padres to get some value out of the All-Star while they can.

What that value would look like is still unclear. In 2023, the Seattle Mariners traded closer Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks and received two mid-level prospects (Dominic Canzone, Ryan Bliss) and a major league starting infielder (Josh Rojas). In 2024, the best closer dealt was Tanner Scott, who was acquired by the Padres for a group of high-level prospects.

The Padres probably would not be looking for prospects if they traded Suarez. San Diego needs players who can help them win now, preferably guys who can help bring their offense more juice. With that in mind, there are limited options for teams that would benefit from Suarez but could still afford to give up MLB talent.

The Padres would likely need to look for a trade partner on the fringes of contention. Teams like the Reds, Cardinals and Rays, who might not be all-in on 2025, but want to beef up their bullpen just in case.

Perhaps the best trade partner would be the Los Angeles Angels. Taylor Ward would be a good fit for the Padres' lineup. The left fielder is enjoying a 115 OPS+, the second-best offensive season of his career. He's not valuable enough to the Angels that they would make him untouchable, especially considering L.A. already has good outfielders in Jo Adell, Mike Trout and Jorge Soler.

The Angels' bullpen, on the other hand, needs all the help it can get. Los Angeles has a 5.06 bullpen ERA, the third-lowest in baseball. They are one of just three teams with more blown saves than successful saves, as the Angels have blown 24 of 47 save opportunities this year.

The Padres, meanwhile, have one of the best bullpens in baseball. All-Stars Adrian Morejon and Jason Adam are capable of filling in for Suarez at closer, and the rest of San Diego's pen would survive without Suarez. San Diego could give up a position of strength to fill a hole in their outfield, while the Angels could boost their bullpen while shipping out one of their more expensive players.

At 49-52, the Angels are still on the outskirts of contention in the American League, and this trade scenario does not feel all that far-fetched.

Whether or not it's to the Angels, the Padres should strongly consider trading Suarez to help fill holes in other areas of the roster. It might be a rare scenario where trading an All-Star is a good thing.

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