Phillies could dump projected $45 million starter in trade with Red Sox
Context:
Ranger Suárez, a pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, faces an uncertain future with the team as he approaches free agency amid a career marked by highs and lows. After a promising start in 2024 and subsequent injury struggles in 2025, the likelihood of Suárez receiving a contract extension from the Phillies has diminished. A trade has been proposed by a baseball writer, suggesting a potential move to the Boston Red Sox, who are in need of a starter and have young outfielders like Ceddanne Rafaela as potential trade assets. Rafaela, who has a long-term contract with the Red Sox, could be an attractive acquisition for the Phillies as they seek to strengthen their center field position. Suárez is valued at a projected three-year, $45 million contract, making the decision to trade or retain him a critical one for both the Phillies and potential suitors like the Red Sox.
Dive Deeper:
Ranger Suárez had a strong start to the 2024 season, earning All-Star recognition, but his performance was hindered by injuries, including lower-back stiffness that delayed his 2025 debut.
The Philadelphia Phillies face a dilemma with Suárez's future, as his free agency approaches and the possibility of a contract extension becomes less feasible.
A proposed trade could see Suárez moving to the Boston Red Sox, who have an excess of young outfielders and may benefit from adding a rental pitcher to their roster.
Ceddanne Rafaela, a young outfielder with a $50 million contract extending through 2031, is highlighted as a potential trade asset for the Red Sox, offering defensive strength but needing improvement at the plate.
Suárez's projected market value is a three-year, $45 million contract, which represents a fair valuation given his inconsistent performance history and injury concerns.
The trade scenario would require both teams to carefully evaluate their needs and the potential benefits of acquiring or trading Suárez, particularly as the Red Sox look to strengthen their pitching lineup.
Both the Phillies and the Red Sox face strategic decisions regarding Suárez, weighing the potential impact of a trade on their current rosters and future prospects.
Things look a lot different for Ranger Suárez now than they did at this time a year ago.
Suárez was a first-time All-Star in 2024, getting off to a blazing-hot start before cooling off and dealing with some injury concerns down the stretch. Those concerns extended into 2025, as lower-back stiffness cost him the first month of the year before making his season debut on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Suárez has had a career of highs and lows in Philadelphia, and now that he's mere months from free agency, the Phillies have to try and figure out how best to handle his future with the club.
An extension looks less likely now than it did during the offseason. A trade might also be difficult to pull off if Suárez isn't performing up to his best. However, on Tuesday, one baseball writer proposed a hypothetical deal involving an American League contender.
Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested that the Phillies could ship Suárez to the Boston Red Sox, who have too many young position players to juggle and might be in the market for another starter.
"The trick (here) is finding a contender who both wants a rental pitcher and has an expendable asset that can help the Phillies right now," Miller wrote."Which brings us back to Boston and its glut of outfielders.
"That isn't to say the Red Sox would ever consider a one-for-one trade of Suárez for Ceddanne Rafaela, but it's a spot that could make sense, especially if the non-Garrett Crochet portion of that rotation continues to struggle."
Rafaela would be an intriguing get for a Phillies team that needs a center fielder, both in the short and long term. He got a $50 million extension from the Red Sox last spring that extends through at least 2031, and he's got immense defensive upside, though his approach at the plate is still a work in progress.
Suárez, meanwhile, is projected for a three-year, $45 million deal by Spotrac. It's probably fair market value for someone who has dealt with ups and downs, and Boston or Philadelphia might both reasonably choose to pass on attempting to re-sign him.
More MLB: Cubs-Cardinals blockbuster trade idea ships $75 million 3-time All-Star to Chicago