The Houston Astros could be preparing for life after Framber Valdez, and one recent prediction has them replacing him with a similar arm.
According to Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report, Ranger Suarez fits that mold as well as anyone on the market.
“Baltimore and Houston still make a lot of sense. On the Astros side of things, Suárez has put up career numbers on par with those of Valdez. However, Suárez should be gettable for less money and at least he didn't cause a great big stink in Houston by perhaps intentionally crossing up his catcher this past September. That might be where he ends up signing,” he wrote.
Suarez has been great and has shown the ability to handle postseason pressure for the Philadelphia Phillies.
While Valdez has been a cornerstone of the Astros’ rotation, the relationship appeared to sour late last season, as many suggested.
If Houston believes Suarez could provide similar production at a lower price, that becomes an easy pivot, especially for a front office that has historically been cheap.
Suarez may not have Valdez’s stuff, but he’s still among the better left-handed starters in baseball.
More Phillies news:
- Insider now suggests Phillies could bring back Ranger Suarez, despite everything Dave Dombrowski has said
- Phillies’ Ranger Suarez looking to land lucrative deal in MLB free agency
- Why Kyle Tucker is no longer a free agent option for Phillies
- Phillies 'more likely than ever' to trade disgruntled $100 million All-Star
- Phillies receiving trade interest from Mariners on $7.5 million lefty reliever
- Phillies offseason rumor spells bad news for Alec Bohm's future in Philadelphia