Phillies predicted to replace Ranger Suarez with $200M World Series Champion, 2X All-Star southpaw

Hunter Cookston

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Phillies predicted to replace Ranger Suarez with $200M World Series Champion, 2X All-Star southpaw image

The Philadelphia Phillies had a strong starting rotation last season, one that could have carried them deep into October. However, an unfortunate injury derailed those plans when Zack Wheeler was forced to miss the remainder of the season due to blood clots.

“Phillies right-handed starter Zack Wheeler was placed on the injured list with a right upper extremity blood clot, Phillies president of baseball operations David Dombrowski announced Saturday following the Phillies’ 2-0 loss to the Nationals,” MLB.com’s Byron Kerr wrote.

This offseason, the Phillies brought back J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber, which was exactly what they wanted to do. However, they did lose southpaw Ranger Suárez.

“Left-hander Ranger Suárez and the Boston Red Sox finalized their $130 million, five-year contract Wednesday. Suárez gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable within 30 days of the deal's approval by Major League Baseball, and salaries of $7 million this year, $15 million in 2027, $30 million in each of the following two seasons and $35 million in 2030. The deal includes a $35 million mutual option for 2031 with a $10 million buyout,” ESPN wrote.

With the Phillies needing another rotation arm — a left-hander more specifically — FanSided’s Christopher Kline believes they will sign Framber Valdez.

“The Philadelphia Phillies are probably done spending after re-signing Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto, but their $200 million whiff on Bo Bichette stings. Dave Dombrowski can't earnestly feel like he has done enough to keep up with the Dodgers, Mets and Cubs, all of whom have made aggressive upgrades this winter. As Framber Valdez's market freezes over, there's a chance to snag him on a longer-term deal at an affordable AAV, which is typically the Phillies' recipe. Or the Phils can embrace the short-term, high-AAV wave. Either way works,” Kline wrote.

Valdez would bring tremendous World Series experience, which could help the Phillies chase a title before their core group begins to decline. Landing Valdez would also help ease the sting of missing out on Bo Bichette.

Adding Valdez would give the Phillies another elite arm in the rotation, potentially giving them the best group of starters in the NL East. This is the type of move that could truly move the needle for Philadelphia.

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