The Philadelphia Phillies were one of the league’s finest teams again this year, but they came short of winning the World Series. This summer, the Phillies are set to undergo some significant changes. They may lose one of their top pitchers, Ranger Suárez, as the southpaw enters free agency following a successful season.
MLB insider Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently predicted that Suárez will get a big six-year contract for $164 million this winter.
“Suárez has been one of the most consistent left-handed starters in baseball over the last two seasons, making a combined 53 starts with an ERA and FIP both hovering around 3.30 over that span,” according to Bowden. “He does not throw hard, but his secondary pitches are really effective, and he delivers strikes. Given that he has only 762 major-league innings on his pitching odometer, the lefty should get a lot of attention.
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Suárez has been dominating with the Phillies, but he is unlikely to be re-signed, especially at this price.
The Phillies are likely to be more concerned with re-signing or replacing Kyle Schwarber than they are with Suárez.
Andrew Painter, Philadelphia’s promising pitching prospect, appears to be ready to join the major league rotation. Painter appears to be an easy replacement in the Phillies’ rotation.
But Suárez may get a contract like this from one of baseball’s other desperate competitors.