Phillies’ $164 Million Ace Expected To Leave, With Astros Predicted as His Next Destination
Signs are pointing toward the Philadelphia Phillies moving on from starting pitcher Ranger Suárez once he hits free agency. Philadelphia already has strong pitching depth and a top prospect on the rise, and Suárez is projected to command a massive $164 million contract, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic. Given his status as one of the top arms available this winter, plenty of teams are expected to pursue him.
The Athletic’s Andy McCullough recently projected that Suárez will depart the Phillies and land a major deal with the Houston Astros.
“Suárez doesn’t overpower hitters with velocity, and he usually tops out around 150 innings per year. But those innings are consistently high-quality,” McCullough noted. “Since 2022, he has posted a 3.59 ERA and averaged 26 starts per season. He’s excellent at avoiding hard contact and inducing weak swings. He’s more of a precision pitcher than a power pitcher, a style that tends to age well. And the Astros, as always, are trying to contend and will be searching for someone to step in for Framber Valdez.”
Houston is expected to lose Framber Valdez this offseason and will need a frontline replacement. Suárez fits the mold perfectlyand could even come slightly cheaper. After failing to make the postseason, the Astros must take bold steps to remain competitive. Losing Valdez without securing a top-tier arm isn’t an option, and Suárez should be at the top of their free-agent priority list.
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