{"id":86234,"date":"2024-09-21T16:56:32","date_gmt":"2024-09-21T20:56:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=86234"},"modified":"2024-09-21T16:56:32","modified_gmt":"2024-09-21T20:56:32","slug":"padres-must-address-closer-situation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/09\/21\/padres-must-address-closer-situation\/","title":{"rendered":"As October Nears, Padres Must Address Their Closer Situation"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the 2024 season winding down, the San Diego Padres are positioning themselves for a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/09\/16\/fernando-tatis-jr-gives-padres-edge-tight-wild-card\/\" target=\"_self\">deep postseason run<\/a>. But as October approaches, a key question lingers: What should the Friars do about their slumping All-Star closer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/suarero01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-09-21_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Robert Suarez<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>As October Nears, Padres Must Address Their Closer Situation<\/h2>\n<h3>Robert Suarez&#8217;s Recent Struggles<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For most of the year, Suarez was among baseball&#8217;s elite closers, even earning his first All-Star selection. Lately, however, the lights-out pitcher from the first half of the season seems to have disappeared. Over his last 30 appearances, Suarez has managed 14 saves but has given up 15 earned runs in 30 innings. Worse still, he\u2019s blown three of his last six save chances and allowed three home runs during that stretch.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"und\">The <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/whitesox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@WhiteSox<\/a>! <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/X7PE8tCgar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/X7PE8tCgar<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MLB (@MLB) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLB\/status\/1837345431828693434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 21, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One reason for Suarez&#8217;s decline could be his increased workload. With 62 innings pitched this season\u2014far more than the 47 \u2154 and 27 \u2154 innings he pitched in 2022 and 2023, respectively\u2014he seems to be wearing down at the most critical time of year. The former NPB star is facing more innings than ever, and the strain is starting to show.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another potential issue is Suarez\u2019s reliance on his four-seam fastball. While it\u2019s an elite pitch, regularly topping 100 MPH and ranking in <a  href=\"https:\/\/baseballsavant.mlb.com\/savant-player\/robert-suarez-663158?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baseball Savant\u2019s<\/a> 99th percentile for velocity, he\u2019s become too dependent on it. Hitters have caught on, adjusting to the pitch he leans on most. Suarez&#8217;s other pitches, like his sinker and changeup, haven\u2019t been used effectively to keep batters guessing. As a result, he&#8217;s become predictable, and combined with his increased workload, he&#8217;s lost the dominance that made him an All-Star.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Mike Shildt Keeping Options Open<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite Suarez&#8217;s struggles, Padres manager <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/managers\/shildmi99.shtml\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Shildt<\/a> has stood by his closer, saying his concern level \u201cis not very high.\u201d However, after Friday\u2019s 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox, Shildt <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rUDT5lp-GMo\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hinted that a change could be in the works<\/a>. While he remains confident in Suarez, he admitted that \u201cthere\u2019ll be consideration\u201d for turning to other arms in the bullpen for save opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pitching coach <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/register\/player.fcgi?id=niebla002rub\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ruben Niebla<\/a> added that Suarez needs to improve his execution and pitch mix but didn\u2019t signal any significant changes to the approach they\u2019ve used all season. That\u2019s a worrying sign since it\u2019s clear some adjustments are needed. The Padres can\u2019t afford to wait for Suarez to get back on track, especially with the postseason looming. Fortunately, they have one of the deepest bullpens in baseball, built by general manager A.J. Preller for these scenarios.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Tanner Scott: The Leading Candidate<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the Padres make a change, they won\u2019t have to look far for a replacement. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/scottta01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-09-21_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tanner Scott<\/a>, acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline, has been outstanding. The southpaw boasts 21 saves, a sparkling 1.57 ERA, and 80 strikeouts this season. His ability to pair his elite fastball with a deadly slider makes him a prime candidate to take over the closer role.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">&#8220;Look how much he&#8217;s using his legs. That release point has dropped because of that.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Tom Verducci looks at some of the mechanical adjustments made by new <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Padres?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Padres<\/a> reliever Tanner Scott since he broke into the Big Leagues. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JskDcOsK1L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/JskDcOsK1L<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MLBNetwork\/status\/1818495552105201924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Other Options: Jason Adam and Jeremiah Estrada<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond Scott, the Padres have other high-leverage arms to consider. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/adamja01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-09-21_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jason Adam<\/a> has been phenomenal since joining San Diego, with a 0.78 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 23 appearances. If not for the Los Angeles Dodgers\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/08\/30\/dodgers-steal-trade-deadline\/\" target=\"_self\">acquisition<\/a> of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kopecmi01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-09-21_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Kopech<\/a>, Adam would likely be hailed as the best bullpen acquisition of the trade deadline. His combination of a sharp slider and a versatile mix of pitches, including a four-seamer, changeup, and sweeper, make him a reliable option for the ninth inning.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Jason Adam, K&#8217;ing the Side. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OTTsLtwUqY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/OTTsLtwUqY<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PitchingNinja\/status\/1825736084824674352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 20, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/e\/estraje01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2024-09-21_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremiah Estrada<\/a>, despite sliding down the bullpen depth chart after the trade deadline, remains another strong candidate. The 25-year-old right-hander is having a breakout season, posting a 2.98 ERA with 88 strikeouts in 57 \u2153 innings. Estrada\u2019s record-setting 13 consecutive strikeouts earlier this year showcases the swing-and-miss potential of his fastball and &#8220;chitter,&#8221; a hybrid pitch that blends Vulcan and circle changeups with splitter action.<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Here is Jeremiah Estrada\u2019s 13th straight K <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ORyOEh5occ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/ORyOEh5occ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Padres Nation (@NationPadres) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NationPadres\/status\/1795662615894794582?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Time to Make a Move<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mike Shildt has earned a reputation as a patient, level-headed manager. But with the postseason around the corner, patience can only go so far. While Suarez could still be valuable in a different bullpen role, it might be time to give someone else a shot at closing. A refreshed bullpen could be just what the Padres need to thrive in October.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Padres don\u2019t need to give up on Suarez, but temporarily moving him out of the closer role could help him regain his All-Star form when the team needs him most. A change could make all the difference as San Diego pushes for a World Series run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<div class=\"modal-image-setImageMetadata\">\n<div class=\"modal-image-setImageMetadata\">\n<p class=\"ng-binding\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the 2024 season winding down, the San Diego Padres are positioning themselves for a deep postseason run. But as October approaches, a key question lingers: What should the Friars do about their slumping All-Star closer, Robert Suarez? As October Nears, Padres Must Address Their Closer Situation Robert Suarez&#8217;s Recent Struggles For most of the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5263,"featured_media":86247,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[30,1071],"tags":[3599,2457,6448,5660],"class_list":["post-86234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-padres","category-mlb","tag-jason-adam","tag-mike-shildt","tag-robert-suarez","tag-tanner-scott"],"modified_by":"Lewis Masella, Site Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5263"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=86234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/86234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/86247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=86234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=86234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=86234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}