The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off a brutal exit from the MLB postseason in 2025. While their pitching staff was great, they couldn’t overcome a poor offense in the NLDS against the eventual World Series-winning Los Angeles Dodgers.

This offseason, the Phillies’ goal is clear: bring back Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto while improving the rest of the roster. While re-signing free agents is a priority for the Phillies, fan-favorite starter Ranger Suarez was typically not included in those talks.

However, in a recent piece from Jesse Rogers of ESPN, the Phillies were predicted by MLB executives to re-sign Suarez, tied with the Boston Red Sox as the most likely team for Suarez this winter.

Phillies unexpectedly predicted to re-sign Ranger Suarez

Rogers shared that four MLB executives predicted Suarez would sign with the Phillies and Red Sox this winter. The Toronto Blue Jays received three votes, while the Atlanta Braves received two and the San Francisco Giants received one vote.

The Philleis retaining Suarez seemed like one of the more unlikely storylines this offseason. With Schwarber and Realmuto being such high priorities, the Phillies having the room to bring back Suarez wasn’t seen as feasible.

But, for 25% of the polled MLB executives, the Phillies retaining Suarez was their offseason prediction for the left-handed All-Star.

“With Zack Wheeler out, I think Suarez goes back to Philadelphia,” one MLB executive explained. “It’s kind of like Schwarber. They need him more than he needs them.”

There is real concern over Zack Wheeler returning to the Phillies to begin the year, making starting pitching a sneaky important need for the Phillies this offseason.

More: Why Phillies likely won’t trade for Twins’ Byron Buxton

But, with the expected interest in Suarez this winter, the Phillies were more likely to let him walk and figure out an alternative option.

Suarez is 30 years old and coming off another strong season with the Phillies. He had a 3.20 ERA, but like years past, he’s yet to start a full season for the Phillies.

While bringing Suarez back might not be the most likely outcome for the Phillies this offseason, four of 16 MLB executives in Rogers’ piece predicted that the Phillies would be able to bring him back this winter.

He’s a fan-favorite starter and has shown to be an elite postseason pitcher, with a 1.38 ERA in 11 games and 42.2 innings pitched since 2022.

But, his contract on the open market, combined with the Phillies needing to re-sign Realmuto, Schwarber, and add elsewhere on the roster, makes this decision would be an unexpected one for Dave Dombrowski and the Phillies to make.

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