These are the Philadelphia Phillies that everybody expected to see in 2025. Led by three All-Star pitchers, the Phillies' rotation is pitching like the best in the league and has them battling the New York Mets for first place in the NL East.
One of those All-Stars is Ranger Suárez, who rode an incredible first half last year into his first appearance at the Midsummer Classic. His production tailed off after a back injury, but Suárez is pitching at an elite level again, per MLB.com's Paul Casella, which will put the Phillies in a tricky situation this offseason.
Ranger Suárez's return to dominance makes free agency departure increasingly more likely for the Phillies
In nine starts this season, Suárez has a sick 2.20 ERA and 1.05 WHIP. After being roughed up for seven earned runs in his May return from the IL, Suárez has a 1.17 ERA over eight straight quality starts, his latest being this gem against the Miami Marlins.
Ranger being Ranger pic.twitter.com/zuJy3DD1ol
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) June 19, 2025
Phillies fans need to enjoy this dominance from Suárez while they can. The soon-to-be 30-year-old is a pending free agent after the 2025 season. He has been with the organization since he signed as an international free agent in 2012 when he was 16 and is the second-longest tenured Phillies player behind Aaron Nola. However, the Phillies' surplus of controllable starting pitching talent leaves his future with the team up in the air.
The nail in the coffin for Suárez's possible return to Philadelphia was the team's acquisition of Jesús Luzardo. With them having team control of Luzardo until 2027, the Phillies have four starters under contract for 2026, with one of baseball's top prospects, Andrew Painter, expected to be a mainstay in the rotation for next year and beyond.
That leaves Suárez out of the picture for the 2026 Phillies' rotation, alongside the talented rookie Mick Abel, who will likely be shopped at the trade deadline. With each quality start, it's becoming more painfully clear that Suárez will find big money from a pitching-hungry team elsewhere. The Phillies are going to focus most of their attention this offseason on re-signing Kyle Schwarber or J.T. Realmuto, so the fan-favorite Suárez has his days with the team numbered.