Another day, another free-agency blow for the Mets.
Robert Suarez, one of the top relievers on the market, has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the rival Braves, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
There are no deferrals in the deal.
Suarez was a target of the Mets, who lost closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers on Tuesday on a three-year, $69 million contract.
The Mets offered him $66 million over three years, though The Post’s Joel Sherman reported the club expressed there was wiggle room before Diaz decided to move to Hollywood.
Robert Suarez is leaving San Diego for Atlanta. The San Diego Union-Tribune via
A day later, longtime Mets first baseman Pete Alonso agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles.
The Mets didn’t make Alonso an offer once they realized he was receiving bids outside their comfort zone.
Suarez, 34, was an All-Star each of the last two seasons as the Padres closer, pitching to a 2.87 ERA with 134 strikeouts over those two campaigns.
His 40 saves this year led the National League.
After the Mets signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million contract, the hope was he would pair with Diaz to form a shutdown duo in the final two innings.
Adding Suarez would’ve softened the blow of Diaz’s departure.
But now he joins a divisional rival, and the Mets must turn elsewhere to fortify their bullpen.