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The Philadelphia Phillies have re-emerged at the top of the division after winning their series with the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Offensively, the Phillies are among the Major League Baseball leaders in most significant categories. But their greatest strength is clearly the depth of their starting pitching.
Between Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo and Mick Abel, the Phillies have plenty of legitimate frontline starter options in the rotation. Plus top prospect Andrew Painter is heading toward his own big-league debut, Aaron Nola is working toward a return from injury and Taijuan Walker is adjusting to a new role in the bullpen.
But that depth could ultimately mean this is the final season for a reigning All-Star starter who’s enjoying the best season of his career so far: Ranger Suarez.
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“Even though he missed the first month of the season, he’s forcing his way into the All-Star Game discussion,” Tim Kelly wrote for On Pattison. “You do risk losing him in the offseason.”
Suarez has posted a 2.20 ERA so far this season, which would be good for the best mark of his career since becoming a full-time starter in 2022. But he’s in his final year of arbitration eligibility and his career-best performance could drive him out of the Phillies’ price range moving forward.
“I would feel comfortable giving Suarez like a three-year deal, but I would suspect the Scott Boras client will be aiming for more,” Kelly added, projecting from the Phillies’ perspective. “And given his injury history, I probably wouldn’t meet that asking price, especially given that you will still have two really good lefties in Luzardo and Cristopher Sanchez.”
While it’s always possible that Suarez would be willing to give the Phillies’ some kind of hometown discount as he’s certain to receive a qualifying offer, Kelly’s prediction is that the pitcher will reject that in favor of a longer-term deal for a team with greater rotation needs.
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