The longer free agency drags on, the better for a prospective team. With no salary cap, MLB free agency is often a buyers market. Phillies former stud starter Ranger\u00a0Su\u00e1rez is a free agent and weighing his options. And clearly as free agency has stretched into 2026 now, there is no offer on the table impressive enough to compel a decision.<\/p>\n
The Phillies should be interested, right?<\/p>\n
There are some major questions in the starting rotation. Even as Cris\u00a0S\u00e1nchez returns after a second-place Cy Young performance, it’s anyone’s guess what the rotation will look like come April.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Zack Wheeler is a question mark as he returns from major surgery last fall
\u2022 Aaron Nola is returning from his worst season as a pro
\u2022 Andrew Painter will have every opportunity to earn a fifth starter spot, but it’s no guarantee he’ll earn it
\u2022 Taijuan Walker would be an underwhelming final starter<\/p>\n
Beyond\u00a0S\u00e1nchez and\u00a0Jes\u00fas Luzardo, there aren’t many starters you can feel good about right now. Yes, it’s possible their 1-through-5 is healthy and performs as one of the best rotations in baseball as is \u2014 from Wheeler and Nola on through\u00a0S\u00e1nchez and Luzardo and Painter grabbing that last slot. But why take the chance?<\/p>\n
According to reports, however, the Phillies aren’t thinking that way. After\u00a0Su\u00e1rez went 12-8 with a 3.20 ERA in 2025, he remains at large and the Phils are not among the long list of teams interested in signing him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Orioles, Giants, Mets and Cubs are among teams linked to Su\u00e1rez,” MLB insider Jon Heyman wrote Thursday<\/a>. “He has elite command \u2014 he was judged having the best command in MLB and above-average location with six different pitches \u2014 but he hasn\u2019t logged the enormous number of innings of Valdez.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cLike [Framber] Valdez, Su\u00e1rez has been linked to the Mets and Orioles throughout the winter, which is hardly a surprise given their respective needs for starting pitching,” Mark Feinsand reported<\/a>, h\/t Yahoo.com<\/a>. “But Su\u00e1rez is two years younger than Valdez, making him a more appealing option for potential suitors.\u201d<\/p>\n Notice anything missing? Any mention of\u00a0Su\u00e1rez’ former team, the Phillies.\u00a0<\/p>\n Dave Dombrowski isn’t always outspoken and doesn’t always make moves through the media. It’s possible he’s keeping quiet and is considering making an offer, even with the Phillies expected to be over the luxury tax again in 2026. But it’s peculiar that there are no links between the lefty and his former team, which does in theory have use for him.<\/p>\n We’ll have to see what happens as spring training approaches, just over one month away.<\/p>\n SIGN UP HERE to receive the PhillyVoice Sports newsletter<\/a><\/p>\n Follow Evan on Twitter:@evan_macy<\/a><\/p>\n Like us on Facebook:\u00a0PhillyVoice Sports<\/a><\/p>\n