Padres’ most likely trade candidate from MLB insider isn’t who you think it is

The Padres have been linked to quite a few trades this offseason, even if none of them have come to the surface. Amidst the cycle of trade rumors, which now feels like every Padre has been part of this winter, one reliever has not been mentioned nearly as much as others. However, he might just be the Friar who is dealt before spring training.

According to an MLB insider,, Robert Suarez getting traded might make the most sense. Would moving Suarez be best option for the Padres? Would fans want to see departure?

San Diego Padres could wind up trading Robert Suarez

Now that the Padres have officially missed out on signing Roki Sasaki, it basically guarantees Dylan Cease remaining with San Diego for the 2025 season. Cease seemed like he was all but gone if the Friars completed a deal with the Japanese starting pitcher, but now that he is with the Dodgers, the Padres’ front office staff needs to figure out how to compete with their divisional rival.

Holding on to Dylan Cease would be the best option despite what some experts might think. So, if the Padres’ biggest trading rumor is no longer on the block, packaging Suarez in a deal could be beneficial. He is coming off the greatest season of his career, logging 36 saves and a 2.77 ERA in 65 appearances.

Suarez’s stock is as high as it well ever be, and San Diego could try sending him to a contending team in search of a closer or high-end late-inning reliever. At 33 years old, he would probably only draw interest from teams in win-now mode, so his market isn’t all that open, but having clubs check in on him shouldn’t be a surprise. If a team fits that bill, the Padres would be off-loading an aging reliever who is owed a decent amount in 2025.

What’s difficult for Padres fans is that he is both loved by the San Diego faithful and is reliable closer. In three big league seasons, he boasts a career 1.019 WHIP. Letting a consistent arm like Suarez compete for another team can be a tough pill to swallow, but in the end, it could be what is best for the future of the organization. His return would be lucrative, whether monetarily or for younger talent. If the Padres finally bite on a trade, it sadly might be Robert Suarez who is dealt.