The Toronto Blue Jays are one of many teams in the market for a new closer, and while they had their sights set on Edwin Diaz, the former New York Mets closer decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a $69 million deal.
Now that Diaz is off the market, the Blue Jays and the Mets need to pivot to other options. Fortunately, there's a strong candidate for both clubs to pursue.
According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, the Blue Jays, alongside the Mets, are going after the 2025 National League saves leader, former San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez.
Blue Jays, Mets expected to pursue Robert Suarez after missing out on Edwin Diaz
"With Edwin Diaz off the market," Morosi reports, "the Mets and Blue Jays are among the top suitors for Robert Suarez, sources say."
While losing out on Diaz, on a three-year, $69 million deal, stings for the Blue Jays, Suarez is not a bad second option.
He earned his second All-Star nod in 2025 and finished the year with a 2.97 ERA in 70 appearances with an NL-leading 40 saves, and 75 strikeouts in 69.2 innings pitched for the Padres in 2025.
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Coming up short against the Dodgers in the World Series was thanks in part to the bullpen's struggles. Adding a new closer, someone like Suarez, would be a great way to reshape the team's outlook for 2026.
Suarez will be 35 years old at the start of the season, and while he might not have the same experience as other top arms on the market - just four seasons with the Padres - at his peak, Suarez is one of the best relievers in baseball.
The Blue Jays will have to contend with at least the Mets for Suarez, and after they both lost out on Diaz to the Dodgers, the Suarez market could get heated quickly with a lack of strong options available after him this winter.
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