TOP REMAINING CLOSER’S MARKET EXPLODES
The relief pitching market exploded this week following the mega-deals for Edwin Díaz (Dodgers) and Devin Williams (Mets), leaving veteran right-hander Robert Suarez as the clear top closer available. Now, two NL rivals—the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs—have emerged as the most aggressive suitors, according to league sources.
Suarez, who is coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons where he recorded 76 saves (including 40 in 2025), is projected to command a multi-year deal in the neighborhood of three years and $48 million—a figure both contenders appear willing to meet.
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THE BRAVES’ CALCULATION: FIREPOWER INSURANCE
For the Atlanta Braves, the pursuit of Suarez is a clear indication that President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos is ready to “push the chips in” on the bullpen.
- Missing Out: The Braves were interested in both Díaz and Kyle Finnegan, both of whom signed elsewhere, making Suarez their top pivot target.
- The Raisel Iglesias Factor: While the Braves already have Raisel Iglesias, the move is less about replacing him and more about creating a ruthless, two-headed monster at the back end of the bullpen. With set-up man Joe Jimenez’s health questionable, adding Suarez provides essential high-leverage insurance to shorten games for their rotation.
- The Draft Pick Dilemma: The Braves are known to value their draft capital, but with Suarez not having a qualifying offer attached, they avoid losing their prized 26th overall pick (acquired due to Drake Baldwin’s Rookie of the Year win), making him a relatively cleaner target than other top free agents.
THE CUBS’ CLEAR NEED: FILLING THE VOID
The Chicago Cubs, unlike the Braves, have an undeniable, glaring hole in their late-inning relief corps after losing multiple relievers this offseason.
- Ideal Candidate: Cubs sources have reportedly labeled Suarez as one of their “ideal candidates” to provide a proven, high-velocity presence in the ninth inning.
- Breaking Tradition: A major deal for Suarez would mark a significant shift for the Cubs, who have historically shied away from large, multi-year commitments to relievers. Manager Craig Counsell, who is demanding veteran stability, is reportedly pushing the front office to make this necessary investment.
The bidding is expected to escalate rapidly, with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays also heavily involved. However, the desperation of the Cubs and the calculated aggression of the Braves position them as the current frontrunners to land the top closer left on the market.
