Former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez, after opting out of the final two years of his deal in San Diego, signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

ESPN insider Jeff Passan was the first to report the news.

BREAKING: Closer Robert Suarez and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a three-year, $45 million contract, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 11, 2025

The 31-year-old had spent all four of his MLB seasons with the Padres before entering free agency this offseason. Throughout his time in San Diego, Suarez made two All-Star Games, recording 77 saves throughout 206 appearances on the mound.

He posted his career-best ERA in his first season in MLB, posting a 2.27 ERA through 45 appearances while striking out 61 batters. After a disappointing 2023 season, Suarez became the Padres’ go-to closer following the departure of Josh Hader and took over the bullpen.

During his first season as the Padres’ closer in 2024, Suarez recorded 36 saves while keeping a 2.77 ERA through 65 innings pitched. He got even better in 2025, having a career year as the Padres’ primary high-leverage arm.

Last season, he led the National League with 40 saves and matched his career high in WHIP with a 0.904 mark.

Suarez posted a 2.97 ERA with a career-best 2.88 FIP, and struck out 75 batters — also a career high. He made his second All-Star Game in a row in 2025.

Suarez is a puzzling addition to the Braves roster, as they already signed their closer from last season, Raisel Iglesias, to a one-year, $16 million contract at the start of the offseason.

Who Will Replace Robert Suarez for the Padres?

The Padres prepared for Suarez’s departure during the 2025 season, making a huge move for Mason Miller at the trade deadline in July. Miller had a shaky start to life with the Padres, getting himself into — and eventually out of — a jam in his Padres debut and allowing two runs in his second appearance for the Friars. Afterwards, though Miller put together two months of dominant performances, not allowing a run for 21.2 innings to close the regular season.

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He continued his hot streak into the playoffs where he recorded eight outs against the Cubs in the Wild Card Series. All eight were strikeouts.

Even without Suarez, the Padres’ bullpen is more than set, and they’ll most likely look to Miller to take over his position as the team’s closer.

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