MLB Trade Rumors: 4 Top Closers Up For Grabs in Free Agency

While bullpens are once again the big talk of the baseball playoffs in some series, for good and for bad, teams in need will be scouring the free agent market this winter to land themselves an elite closer. 

With that, let's take a look at the top four closers up for grabs in free agency, with a projected contract value, per Sportrac.

Edwin Diaz, New York Mets

With a projected $18.3 million AAV, Diaz leads the way. He's still under contract for another two years on five-year,  $102 million contract, but he has a player option that would allow him to opt out of the final two years. He'd be giving up $37 million (hence, the $18.3M valuation annually), but he could likely lock down a longer-term deal at that rate in free agency.

It's hard to believe the Mets would let him go. The 31-year-old three-time All-Star is coming off a year in which he posted a 1.63 ERA, with 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings. He notched 28 saves, and held opposing batters to a miniscule .164 average and .502 OPS. 

Robert Suarez, San Diego Padres

For the second straight year, the All-Star reliever Suarez has been one of the most consistent, top closers in baseball. He still has two years to run on his five-year deal, but he, too, can opt out of the final two seasons, which would be paying him about $9 million annually. His projected market value, per Sportrac, is a $16.3 million AAV, so it would be a shock if he doesn't opt out and go to market. 

Suarez is coming off a 40-save season, with a 2.97 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP.

Pete Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Rays

The Rays have a $12.5 million option on Fairbanks for 2026, but after paying him just over $3 million each of the last three seasons, it's highly doubtful that Tampa will pick up that hefty a salary. Fairbanks had an excellent season, with a career-high 27 saves and a 2.83 ERA, but with a $13.77 million market value, and that $12.5M team option that will scare the Rays' bean-counters, it's likely he'll be hitting the open market.

Ryan Helsley, New York Mets

This seemed like a terrific pickup for the Mets at the trade deadline, but sometimes closers just can't perform the same way in a setup role. Helsley, after saving 21 games for the St. Louis Cardinals (and a major league best 49 the year before), was a disaster in a set-up role behind Diaz, posting a 7.20 ERA. 

Nevertheless, teams are well aware of what the 31-year-old flamethrower can do in the 9th inning with the pressure on over the last few seasons. He has a projected market value of $13.6 million, and should be able to land himself a multi-year deal. 

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