Just because you know something is about to happen doesn’t make it sting any less.
From the minute the 2025 Phillies season ended, it was logical to assume that Ranger Suarez had thrown his last pitch in this city. The writing was on the wall. Few, if any, rumors connected the Phillies to Suarez’s trail on the open market. While his landing spot—the Boston Red Sox—may have come as a surprise, the final result didn’t.
Suarez is no longer a part of the Phillies pitching staff, and he might be missed way more than the team’s front office seems to think.
For some reason, we (baseball fans, not just us here in Philadelphia) continue to underrate Suarez. Perhaps it was his standing as the third or fourth best member of his own rotation. Perhaps it was due to injuries that held him back from fuller campaigns. Maybe it was his lack of velocity or sizzle.
Regardless, here are two two truths:
Over the last five seasons, Suarez owns the 10th-best ERA among all starting pitchers. You may have heard the names above him on that list: Max Fried, Zack Wheeler, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Corbin Burnes, Logan Webb, Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer and Framber Valdez. And when it comes to the postseason, Suarez has been even better. His 1.48 postseason ERA is third best in the history of the sport (min. 40 innings and five starts).
Do the Phillies have the pitching staff and depth to overcome losing Suarez? In theory, sure. But is Wheeler going to be the same guy? Are we sure Aaron Nola isn’t in full decline? Can we actually count on Andrew Painter to be special? Cristopher Sanchez is a stud. I believe in Jesus Luzardo, but he’s in a contract year himself.
I wouldn’t pencil Suarez in for any Cy Young’s in Boston. But I won’t be surprised if the Phillies miss him more than they assume and certainly expect to see him getting big outs for Alex Cora’s team in October—perhaps as soon as nine months from now.
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