WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 30: David Dombrowski, president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, looks on before a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 30, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies have a tough needle to thread as they continue to enjoy stellar regular season records but then fall well short of their goal of a World Series championship.
In the last two seasons, the Phillies have earned National League East division titles with a roster clearly built to thrive in the regular season. But in both years they have quickly been dispatched in the playoffs, raising questions about whether the team’s regular season success can translate into a championship.
This winter, the Phillies have a clear opportunity to switch things up. Long-time stars JT Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber and Ranger Suarez are all now free agents, and the Phillies could choose to move on from them and reload around some new talent.
Ultimately, the team seems likely to bring back both Schwarber and Realmuto. But it has reportedly decided to move on from Suarez, who will be seeking a significant long-term contract this winter.
“No one has said it aloud but the Phillies have made it clear they do not expect to be bidding on Ranger Suarez, who should score a nine-figure deal this winter,” Phillies insider Matt Gelb reported for The Athletic. “As of now, they are not in the rotation market.”
The Phillies do seem relatively stacked in the pitching department, even without Suarez returning. The team has Aaron Nola, Jesus Luzardo and Cristopher Sanchez ready to return to significant roles, with top prospect Andrew Painter waiting in the wings and Taijuan Walker entering the final year of his contract. Zack Wheeler could return from an offseason surgery before the start of the season as well.
However, Suarez has played a key role in the rotation for several years.
In 2024, he enjoyed an All-Star campaign with a 3.46 ERA across 27 total starts. But this past season he might have been even better, logging a 3.20 ERA in 26 total starts.
Suarez should be one of the most coveted pitchers on the free agent market, so as important as he’s been, the Phillies might be looking to allocate the money it would take to retain him elsewhere.
“Brining Suarez back might be a challenge financially,” Cole Weintraub wrote for NBC Sports Philadelphia. “While the Phillies admire Suarez’s makeup and postseason pedigree, the cost likely proves too steep… With major money already locked into Wheeler and Nola and several extensions under consideration, Philadelphia’s front office could very well move on and bid farewell to one of its dominant arms.”
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterchawaga/2025/11/17/phillies-decide-to-cut-ties-with-former-all-star-seeking-new-contract-insider/
