Another day, another free-agency blow for the Mets.
Robert Suarez, one of the top relievers on the market, has agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract with the rival Braves, noti.group’s Jon Heyman confirmed.
There are no deferrals in the deal.
Suarez was a target of the Mets, who lost closer Edwin Diaz to the Dodgers on Tuesday on a three-year, $69 million contract.
The Mets offered him $66 million over three years, though noti.group’s Joel Sherman reported the club expressed there was wiggle room before Diaz decided to move to Hollywood.
A day later, longtime Mets first baseman Pete Alonso agreed to a five-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles.
The Mets didn’t make Alonso an offer once they realized he was receiving bids outside their comfort zone.
Suarez, 34, was an All-Star each of the last two seasons as the Padres closer, pitching to a 2.87 ERA with 134 strikeouts over those two campaigns.
His 40 saves this year led the National League.
After the Mets signed Devin Williams to a three-year, $51 million contract, the hope was he would pair with Diaz to form a shutdown duo in the final two innings.
Adding Suarez would’ve softened the blow of Diaz’s departure.
But now he joins a divisional rival, and the Mets must turn elsewhere to fortify their bullpen.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
