Who is the Padres Closer? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlook

The San Diego Padres had an elite closer in Josh Hader for a couple of seasons. San Diego acquired Hader at the trade deadline in 2022, but he really struggled with a 7.31 ERA across 19 appearances to finish that year. However, the southpaw rebounded in a big way last year by totaling 33 saves with a 1.28 ERA in 56.1 innings pitched.

Hader, though, isn't a closer option for the Padres in 2024 after the left-hander left in free agency. That means the job was up for grabs this offseason.

So, who is the Padres closer? Is he a viable fantasy option? Let's dive in and find out.

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Who is the Padres Closer?

Following Hader's departure this offseason, many thought Japanese pitcher Yuki Matsui would become the Padres new starting closer. He saved 236 games in the Japan Pacific League from 2015 to 2023, including a career-high 39 saves in his final year overseas. Matsui signed a five-year, $28 million deal with the team in December. 

Nevertheless, Matsui won't get the first crack at the closer job in 2024. That role belongs to 33-year-old Robert Suarez. In both save chances on March 21 against the Los Angeles Dodgers and March 28 against the San Francisco Giants, the Padres leaned on Suarez to close out the game.

Although Robert Suarez allowed a HR today, his arsenal graded out as some of the best I have seen.

His 4-Seam already had the velocity, and if he can maintain the current iVB, he could be a dominant force for the Padres this season. pic.twitter.com/49f9Zg9RYR

— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) March 28, 2024

Suarez didn't have much experience in the closer role in his first two years in the majors, saving only one game in 2022. Nonetheless, it's his job to lose this year.

Robert Suarez Fantasy Baseball Outlook

Suarez will be the Padres closer for the foreseeable future. He has converted both of his save chances so far in 2024 while giving up one run across 2.1 IP. However, the right-hander might have a shorter leash in this role, especially with the closing experience of Matsui waiting in the wings.

For the time being, though, Suarez is a solid fantasy option if you're looking for saves. He has a career 3.01 ERA with 88 strikeouts. The 33-year-old also has a career 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings and a career 0.99 WHIP.

Robert Suarez Picks Up Second Save https://t.co/6WfrIXvQh3

— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) March 29, 2024

With closers like Paul Sewald, Jordan Romano, and Jhoan Duran all starting the season on the injured list, Suarez could be a nice replacement. He should see plenty of save chances in the coming weeks as well with games against the San Francisco Giants (4), St. Louis Cardinals (3), and Chicago Cubs (3) all approaching.

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