With the baseball offseason in full swing, the free agent market is buzzing, particularly around relief pitcher Robert Suarez following the relocation of star closer Edwin Diaz to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Suarez has emerged as one of the most sought-after players, garnering interest from several teams, with the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays prominently in the conversation.
Bob Nightengale, a known baseball writer for USA Today, stirred up speculation by mistakenly predicting that both the Mets and the Blue Jays would sign Suarez. His predictions outlined plans for both teams to enhance their rosters significantly, noting, “Prediction: The Blue Jays sign free agent right fielder Kyle Tucker and closer Robert Suarez, too, while letting shortstop Bo Bichette walk.” On the Mets side, he stated, “Prediction: The Mets take a run at Bellinger, but wind up trading for Astros first baseman Christian Walker or signing free agent Kazuma Okamoto, while also signing starter Michael King and reliever Robert Suarez.”
While Nightengale’s dual predictions highlight the urgency and competition surrounding Suarez, it raises eyebrows due to the improbability of both teams securing his services simultaneously. Nevertheless, the strong links between the closer and both teams are impossible to overlook as the Winter Meetings unfold.
The Mets, reeling from Diaz’s exit, are keen to solidify their bullpen. Despite signing Devin Williams in free agency, there are indications they might position him as a premium setup man rather than the official closer. This strategy opens the door for Suarez, who has proven himself at an elite level, including two consecutive All-Star selections.
On the other hand, the Blue Jays face their own challenges. They invested $33 million in Jeff Hoffman as their closer for the upcoming season, but Hoffman’s struggles manifested with a notable number of blown saves in 2025, prompting Toronto to seek fresh options for the ninth inning.
Suarez is coming off a stellar season where he recorded a league-leading 40 saves. Over his four-year MLB career, he has maintained an impressive 2.91 ERA with a 219/63 strikeout-to-walk ratio, further elevating his desirability among teams looking for a reliable closer.
As the offseason progresses, teams in need of a reliable closer will keep their eyes trained on Suarez, leaving the Mets and Blue Jays prominently positioned in the hunt as they both look to fortify their pitching rotations. The anticipation surrounding Suarez’s decision only adds to the excitement of the upcoming season.
