The MLB offseason will kick into high gear on Sunday, as the league’s annual Winter Meetings will begin in Orlando, Florida.
Philadelphia Phillies fans will be keeping a close eye on what President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski does over the four-day event, as the team has a few high-profile free agents in catcher J.T. Realmuto, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, and starting pitcher Ranger Suarez.
Suarez, who is coming off another 12-win season in 2025, is generating a lot of buzz on the hot stove, including from the Phillies’ division rival, the New York Mets.
On Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and Baltimore Orioles are viewed as the “most serious threats” to sign the southpaw in free agency. Feinsand adds that the Mets and Detroit Tigers are “also in the mix.”
Despite Suarez’s growing market, the Phillies haven’t shut down the idea of re-signing the 30-year-old, per Feinsand. That said, Philadelphia might be better off trying to lock in Schwarber and Realmuto, as they don’t have exact replacements for either guy.
If Suarez does ultimately sign elsewhere, the Phillies could quickly fill his spot in the rotation with top pitching prospect Andrew Painter, who spent this past season in the minor leagues.
The 30-year-old Suarez has quietly developed into a quality frontline starting pitcher who doesn’t throw the hardest or fastest, but knows how to get guys out. Also, when you need Suarez in the postseason, he shows up no matter the situation (4-1, 1.48 ERA across 11 appearances).
According to Spotrac.com, the southpaw’s calculated market value is a six-year, $161.5 million deal ($26.9 million AAV). He likely won’t get that large of a contract in free agency. But for a team like the Mets, who could use a bona fide starter like Suarez to pair with Nolan McLean and David Petersen at the top of their rotation, don’t put it past them to dish out the cash to compete for an NL East crown in 2026.
