Ranger Suárez turned in another stellar outing on Sunday against the Braves in Atlanta, striking out eight and surrendering just one run on four hits. It was his fifth consecutive start lasting at least seven innings and extended his streak to 10 straight starts of six innings or more, a stretch that has firmly solidified his role as one of the Phillies’ most dependable arms of late.
Over his past 10 starts, the left-hander has turned in a remarkable 1.19 ERA. To illustrate just how rare that is, Paul Casella of MLB.com noted, “That’s the lowest ERA by any Phillies pitcher over a 10-start stretch since Cliff Lee in 2011. In fact, going back to when the mound was lowered in 1969, the only other Phillies with a sub-1.20 ERA over any 10-start span within a season are Roy Oswalt (2010) and Steve Carlton (1972).”
With a 7-2 record and a 2.00 ERA, Suárez looks more than deserving of a spot on the National League All-Star Team when the Midsummer Classic arrives in Atlanta in a few weeks.
“I think he’s pitching better than I’ve ever seen him pitch,” noted manager Rob Thomson. “I really do.”
If Suárez can stay healthy through the remainder of the season, he’ll position himself exceptionally well to command a substantial contract when he reaches free agency this offseason. Among the top starting pitchers expected to hit the market are Dylan Cease (Padres), Zac Gallen (Diamondbacks), Framber Valdez (Astros), and Michael King (Padres). However, of that group, Valdez stands alone as the only left-hander. That makes Suárez, who could easily be viewed as one of the top two left-handed starters available, an especially attractive option. Given how few high-quality lefties will be on the market, teams may well be willing to pay a premium to secure his services.
That inevitably raises the question: will the Phillies be the ones to extend that lucrative offer, or will another team seize the opportunity? It’s not as straightforward as it might seem, with lingering questions still surrounding Suárez’s long-term future in Philadelphia.
There are a few important considerations. Chief among them is durability. As Leo Morgenstern at Just Baseball pointed out, “A lack of innings is his biggest red flag. He has spent time on the IL in five of the last six years and has never pitched more than 155.1 frames in a season.” Suárez is also nearing 30—he’ll hit that milestone in August—and with age comes a heightened risk of more time on the injured list. Fans will remember he already missed the first month of this season with a back injury.
Beyond the durability concerns, there’s also the question of how much money Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, is willing to commit to a pitching staff already carrying substantial financial obligations. Zack Wheeler is set to earn $42 million next year under the three-year, $126 million extension he signed in March 2024. Aaron Nola, meanwhile, will make nearly $24.6 million in the second year of his seven-year, $172 million deal. Even Taijuan Walker, who has since been moved to the bullpen, is on a significant contract, earning $18 million annually.
Another argument is whether it makes sense to invest millions more to retain Suárez when the Phillies have promising young arms waiting in the wings. Rookie Mick Abel, just 23, has already found success in his debut season, while Andrew Painter—the organization’s top prospect and their first-round pick in 2021—is only 22 and could soon be ready for the call. Painter was recently selected to play in MLB’s 2025 Futures Game during All-Star weekend, a showcase of the minor leagues’ premier talent, and is currently ranked the No. 5 prospect in all of Minor League Baseball by MLB.com. The question now is how much longer the Phillies will keep the 6-foot-7 right-hander in the minors before giving him his shot and gradually easing him into the starting rotation.
In addition to the money already committed to the Phillies’ rotation and the promise of Abel and Painter, there’s also the looming free agency of J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber this offseason. It’s hard to imagine the Phillies letting Schwarber walk, especially with him currently tied for fourth in the majors with 25 home runs. Looking ahead, Nick Castellanos and Alec Bohm are set to reach free agency the following year, adding even more complexity to Philadelphia’s long-term financial outlook.
While the Phillies would presumably love to keep Suárez—he’s been with the organization his entire career, having signed as an international free agent back in 2012—management may ultimately view it as a numbers game.
Many eyes will be on Dombrowski this offseason to see where he decides to invest and where he chooses to pull back. Suárez will surely be seeking a long-term deal (one he’ll have fully earned if he continues to replicate this season’s performance down the stretch), but it remains to be seen whether the Phillies will be the club to grant it. In the end, the Phillies might find themselves saying goodbye to a homegrown talent they’ve watched develop from the very beginning.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.