"Suarez has been excellent over the previous two seasons. He led the National League with 40 saves in 2025 and locked down 36 the year before. He posted an ERA below 3.00 with a 1.05 WHIP or better in each of those All-Star campaigns. The right-hander is looking to cash in on his recent performance this offseason, but the Blue Jays should be cautious with their offer if they decide to pursue him."
"His fastball averaged 98.6 mph in 2025, and he issued free passes to just 5.9% of the batters he faced. This combination of velocity and command, while ideal, comes with the unfortunate trade-off of allowing a worrisome amount of hard contact. He ranked in just the 16th percentile in average exit velocity allowed, and was in the 36th percentile or worse in opposing barrel rate and hard-hit rate."
"Even more concerning is the distribution of these batted balls. Suarez induced ground balls a career-low 36.9% of the time last year while allowing opponents to hit the ball in the air at a career-high 63.1% rate. His 27.8% line drive rate allowed was also a career high. This combination played fine in San Diego, which grades as pitcher-friendly by Statcast Park Factors ,"
Robert Suarez recorded 40 saves in 2025 and 36 in 2024, posting ERAs below 3.00 and WHIPs of 1.05 or better in both All-Star seasons. He averaged a 98.6 mph fastball in 2025 and walked only 5.9% of batters, pairing velocity with control. Suarez allowed a high degree of hard contact, ranking in the 16th percentile in average exit velocity and the 36th percentile or worse in barrel and hard-hit rates. He induced a career-low 36.9% ground-ball rate while allowing a 63.1% fly-ball rate and a 27.8% line-drive rate. Those profiles may inflate home runs in Rogers Centre and AL East parks, and Blue Jays pitchers already surrendered 209 homers last season; caution is warranted when evaluating Suarez for the bullpen.
Read at BlueJaysNation
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