The Boston Red Sox are projected to be playoff contenders in 2025 and could benefit from adding another late-inning reliever.

MLB analyst Zach Pressnell of FanSided suggested a potential trade in which the Red Sox would acquire Robert Suarez from the San Diego Padres in a four-player deal.

Proposed Trade:

Red Sox receive:

• Robert Suarez

Padres receive:

• Yoeilin Cespedes
• Miguel Bleis
• Hunter Dobbins

This trade would provide Boston with Suarez, who could take over as the team’s closer, in exchange for three prospects.

Suarez is currently under a five-year, $46 million contract with the Padres but has an opt-out after the 2025 season, which he is likely to use. In 2024, he posted a 9-3 record with a 2.77 ERA across 65 games and converted 36 of 42 save opportunities.

In return, the Red Sox would send three prospects to San Diego:

• Yoeilin Cespedes – A 19-year-old middle infield prospect ranked No. 7 in Boston’s system. He hit .319 with five home runs and 24 RBIs in rookie ball in 2024.
• Miguel Bleis – The organization’s No. 12 prospect, a 21-year-old outfielder who signed in 2021. He reached Single-A in 2024, batting .221 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs between A+ and A.
• Hunter Dobbins – A right-handed pitcher ranked No. 13 in Boston’s farm system. Drafted in the eighth round in 2021, he reached Triple-A in 2024, finishing with an 8-5 record and a 3.08 ERA in 25 starts.

This deal would bolster Boston’s bullpen while giving the Padres a package of young talent in return.

Analyst Explains Why Red Sox Would ‘Overpay’ for Suarez

Boston needs to strengthen the back end of its bullpen, and Zach Pressnell believes the Red Sox should be willing to overpay in a trade for Robert Suarez.

“While this could seem like an overpay on the surface, it’s important to realize the Padres hold all the leverage here,” Pressnell wrote. “Boston desperately needs a closer, and the Padres don’t have to trade Suarez. It would take a haul to bring him to Boston, and the Red Sox can afford to give up this package of prospects.”

Despite the high cost, Pressnell argues that acquiring Suarez as a shutdown closer would significantly boost Boston’s World Series chances.

“Boston would land the star closer it needs. While Suarez is heading into free agency at the end of the year, there’s no reason the Red Sox wouldn’t be able to re-sign him in the offseason,” Pressnell added. “The flamethrower would be a huge piece of the puzzle that Boston is trying to build to boost itself to an AL Pennant and a World Series championship.”

Currently, Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman are competing for the Red Sox’s closer role.

Red Sox Manager Won’t Name Closer

Boston manager Alex Cora has indicated that the team won’t name a designated closer, suggesting the role could be handled by a committee.

With both Liam Hendriks and Aroldis Chapman performing well, Cora expects one of them to handle closing duties but hasn’t committed to a specific choice.

“They’re throwing the ball well,” Cora said. “Liam took a step forward yesterday; we saw that. Chappy has been throwing the ball well, Slaten has been throwing the ball well. Hopefully, we have the lead in the ninth in the first game of the season, and somebody will come in and get that save, and we go from there.”

The Red Sox will open their 2025 season on March 27 on the road against the Texas Rangers.