The 2025 San Diego Padres season has been a strange one. Despite having plenty of individual talent and being in lockstep with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a period of time, the Padres are now outside of a Wild Card spot entirely.
One of the reasons for the Padres' struggles in June is Robert Suarez. He's in the final year of his current deal and will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Dennis Lin of The Athletic believes the Padres should let him walk in free agency.
"Suarez will be 335 next season," Lin writes. "And he's had elbow issues in the past. The Padres would be wise to let him explore free agency."
While he isn't outright saying the team should part ways with Suarez, Lin is urging the Padres to let him hit free agency. The Padres reliever started off the year strong, but has a 7.84 ERA in June, and has been a liability lately.
Combined with Suarez's age, there isn't a good reason to keep him on the MLB roster past the 2025 season. At least, not right away. Lin isn't shutting down a reunion in free agency, but he is urging the team to let him test the market.
Suarez could still return, but Lin doesn't want the Padres to make such a decision until he tests the market. Whether it's because Lin believes that Suarez won't get a good offer or that the Padres reliever might be asking for too much, Lin is urging the team not to extend him.
While Suarez has struggled in June, he's been solid overall. He has a 3.89 ERA and leads all of baseball in saves with 23. He's struck out 36 batters and walked 12. He's been one of the better relievers over the past four years, but might be nearing the end of his rope based on his struggles in 2025.
As one of the big three Padres pitchers set to be a free agent, Lin is urging the team to let him walk and cut ties with Suarez after the 2025 season. He's pitched four seasons in the big leagues, all with the Padres. This could be his last, if Lin's wish comes true.