Why Ranger Suarez signing with Red Sox is good news for Phillies amid Bo Bichette pursuit

Matt Sullivan

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Why Ranger Suarez signing with Red Sox is good news for Phillies amid Bo Bichette pursuit image

The Philadelphia Phillies entered this offseason with four big-name free agents. Kyle Schwarber re-signed with the Phillies for $150 million, J.T. Realmuto isn't budging in talks with the Phillies, and Harrison Bader remains unsigned.

But, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports, Ranger Suarez has signed a free-agent deal with the Boston Red Sox for $130 million over five years. That signing is a big one for Boston, and also for the Phillies.

While it officially ends Suarez's time with the Phillies, as the beloved lefty is joining the Red Sox rotation, it also brings good news. Now, with the Red Sox investing so much into Suarez, the market for Bo Bichette might be trending in the Phillies' favor.

Why Ranger Suarez's Red Sox deal could help Phillies sign Bo Bichette

The Red Sox lost Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs, and in turn, began to explore options. Bichette, someone the Phillies recently had a meeting with, was one of their alternative plans to losing Bregman.

However, a different one emerged in that the Red Sox, instead of signing Bichette, would double down on pitching, sign a top free-agent starter (like Suarez), and then either go after a lesser bat in free agency or swing a trade for a new infielder.

Now that the Red Sox have signed Suarez, they aren't nearly as likely to go after Bichette this winter. They still could have interest, but with Suarez's $130 million on the books, Bichette might not be as feasible an option.

More: Phillies get bad news on Bo Bichette amid unexpected challenge from Alex Bregman Cubs deal

While seeing Suarez leave the Phillies stings, his departure could help them land Bichette this winter. The Red Sox were one of the best landing spots for Bichette this winter, and now, it looks like the Phillies are far and away his best option.

Bichette might field interest from a team like the New York Yankees or Toronto Blue Jays, but the landing spot that makes the most sense for him at this point, by far, is the Phillies.

Their meeting on Monday went well, and the Phillies and Bichette have mutual interest. Signs are pointing towards a deal, and fans should be cautiously optimistic, especially now that Suarez has likely taken the Red Sox out of the market for Bichette.

Nothing is confirmed, and the Red Sox, or another team, could sign Bichette. But, with where things stand, the Phillies are in a great spot to bring the superstar Blue Jays infielder to Philadelphia, reuniting him with beloved bench coach Don Mattingly.

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Contributing Writer