The Philadelphia Phillies have made some adjustments to their roster following a disappointing playoff exit in 2024. After winning only one postseason game this past season, the team added outfielder Max Kepler, reliever Jordan Romano, and a few other depth pieces. However, their biggest move so far this winter was to strengthen their starting rotation, trading with the Miami Marlins to acquire young pitcher Jesús Luzardo.
This acquisition could lead to a crowded starting staff, as Luzardo joins Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, and Ranger Suárez, while top prospect Andrew Painter is expected to join the rotation by 2025. With this increased depth, the Phillies might look to move one of their current starters to address other team needs. Edward Eng of That Ball’s Outta Here predicted that Suárez could be one of the players moved in the wake of the Luzardo trade.
Eng noted that, while Suárez had a mixed start to his career, he broke out in 2022 after settling into a full-time starting role. However, recent rumors suggest he might be on the trade block. Given Luzardo’s potential to become a top-tier starter, Eng argues that the Phillies could capitalize on Suárez’s high trade value now, while he’s still performing well, to secure valuable assets in return.
There’s good reason to believe Suárez would be in high demand. In his first All-Star season in 2024, he posted a solid 3.46 ERA over 27 starts. He’s also been exceptional in the postseason, with a 1.43 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 37.2 career playoff innings. Suárez delivered a memorable performance in the 2022 World Series, throwing 5.2 innings of shutout ball against the Houston Astros, earning a lasting place in Phillies fans’ hearts.
Though Suárez struggled with injuries and a midseason slump in 2024, he returned to form in the playoffs, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings against the New York Mets with eight strikeouts. This strong postseason performance further bolstered his trade value, making him a likely candidate for a move this offseason, especially as he heads into his final year of contract arbitration eligibility.
Leave a Reply