Robert Suarez has cashed in the bet he placed on himself.
A little more than a month after opting out with the Padres, the 34-year-old reliever is joining the Braves on a three-year, $45 million deal, according to multiple reports.
Suarez is set to make $13 million in 2026 and $16 million in both 2027 and 2028.
Suarez made $10 million each of the previous two seasons with the Padres and was set to make $8 million in each of the next two seasons had he not opted out of his contract.
He opted for free agency after leading the National League with 40 saves in 2025. He posted a 2.87 ERA while saving 76 games the last two seasons as the Padres’ closer.
It is not a given, however, that Suarez will lead the Braves in saves. Right-hander Raisel Iglesias had 29 saves and a 3.21 ERA last season and re-upped for 2026 for $16 million earlier this offseason.
Suarez is the second Padres free agent to join a new team this offseason. Right-hander Dylan Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million deal with the Blue Jays earlier this month.
Other Padres free agents looking for work include right-hander Michael King, first basemen Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn, infielder Jose Iglesias, left-hander Nestor Cortes and catcher Elias DÃaz.
King, like Cease, rejected a qualifying offer and will net the Padres a draft pick after the fourth round if he signs with a new team.
The plan at the moment is for right-hander Mason Miller to take over for Suarez as the closer, although left-hander Adrián Morejón and right-handers Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam have pitched well out of the back of the bullpen.