For all the talent and depth that helped the Los Angeles Dodgers secure back-to-back World Series titles, the bullpen remains the most glaring question entering 2026. The group struggled throughout the regular season, often forcing Dave Roberts to lean heavily on his starters deep into games—especially in October. As the club eyes an ambitious three-peat, the search for dependable late-inning arms, including a new closer, has become unavoidable.
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Why Robert Suarez Fits the Dodgers’ Offseason Puzzle
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Several capable closers headline this winter’s free-agent class, but one name has consistently surfaced around the Dodgers: longtime Padres reliever Robert Suarez. The Athletic’s Andy McCullough, who has covered the team for years, believes Suarez is the likeliest fit.
“‘Need’ is a relative term for a club coming off consecutive championships, so let’s go with the softer, less pressing, more optionality-friendly usage of ‘would like to,’” McCullough wrote. “The Dodgers would like to improve their outfield and find a closer… Same story with Edwin Díaz: do they really want to enter another long-term pact with a reliever after watching Tanner Scott combust in 2025? Of course, Díaz has a much more accomplished resume than Scott. But so does Suarez, and he’ll likely cost less, for fewer years, than Díaz.”
Suarez’s résumé makes the argument clear. He has earned two straight All-Star selections, posted a 2.97 ERA last season with 75 strikeouts across 69.2 innings, and recorded a career-best 40 saves in 2025. He holds a 2.91 ERA over four MLB seasons—remarkably steady production for a high-leverage reliever.
The Padres Move On, and the Market Heats Up
San Diego appears ready to turn the page, largely because the team acquired electric right-hander Mason Miller at last year’s deadline. Suarez opted out of his contract and is expected to command a strong multiyear offer. Jon Heyman projected the deal simply: “$60M, 3 years.”
The Dodgers have poached from San Diego before—Tanner Scott joined last winter—but that move backfired, and the front office is unlikely to overspend again. Still, with key departures such as Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech, plus Evan Phillips no longer in the picture, Los Angeles needs multiple right-handed relief options.
Value Will Decide It
Suarez’s age—he turns 35 next season—and his rising hard-contact rate complicate the calculus. But suppose his asking price settles in a reasonable range. In that case, he remains one of the most logical targets for a club determined to stabilize the ninth inning without overcommitting years or dollars.
And for the Dodgers, the pursuit of value has always shaped the pursuit of championships.
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