The Philadelphia Phillies enter free agency with a unique challenge: instead of just one star hitting the market, they could potentially lose three. J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, and Ranger Suárez—all key contributors for years—are free to sign elsewhere. Schwarber’s 56-homer season all but ensures the Phillies will push hard to keep him, and losing Realmuto would leave the team dangerously thin at catcher. That leaves Suárez, despite another strong year and a stellar playoff track record, as possibly the most expendable of the trio.
Speculation about Suárez’s future grew on Tuesday when Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com predicted that the Dodgers would be the team to land the 30-year-old left-hander. Los Angeles eliminated the Phillies in four games this postseason and went on to capture a second straight World Series title. Caldera noted simply that the “world champs add a reliable lefty starter.”
Suárez has been extremely valuable during his eight seasons in Philadelphia, posting 18.1 WAR and an incredible 1.48 ERA across 42 2/3 postseason innings. He was excellent again this year, throwing a career-best 157 1/3 innings with a 3.20 ERA. Although the Dodgers don’t necessarily need another starter, signing Suárez would strengthen their rotation while simultaneously weakening one of their biggest National League rivals.
Tim Britton of The Athletic recently projected Suárez to receive a six-year, $153 million contract. With the Dodgers having no major free agents of their own to re-sign—and more financial flexibility than nearly anyone else—they may be better positioned to offer that kind of deal than the Phillies, especially if Philadelphia brings back Schwarber and/or Realmuto.