Ranger Suarez joining Scott Boras means the Phillies will have to spend ‘stupid money’ to keep him past 2025

Ranger Suarez officially teaming up with Scott Boras means one thing for the Phillies: his price just went up…unfortunately.

Ranger Suarez is teaming up with Scott Boras:

Ranger Suarez has changed agents and is now represented by Scott Boras.

Suarez will be a free agent at the end of the 2025 season. pic.twitter.com/ztFLG8RLuG

— Phillies Tailgate (@PhilsTailgate) December 17, 2024

If the Phillies hope to keep Ranger Suarez in Philadelphia beyond 2024, they’ll need to be ready to spend big in what will almost certainly be a competitive free-agent market.

Boras is a master at turning his clients’ strengths into massive paydays, and Suarez—despite his inconsistencies—has plenty of selling points. At his best, Suarez is an All-Star-caliber pitcher with ice in his veins when the lights shine brightest.

We’ve seen it time and again in the postseason, where his ability to deliver in big games has made him one of the Phillies’ most trusted arms. Need proof? Just ask the Braves, Padres, and Diamondbacks how they felt seeing Suárez on the mound in October.

Dave Dombrowski has made it clear the Phillies value Suarez and are open to keeping him long-term. But there’s no denying there’s risk involved. Suarez has never thrown more than 155 innings in a regular season, and health concerns linger. Boras, though, will highlight his upside: a 3.32 career ERA, Gold Glove-level defense, and proven postseason dominance.

The Phillies also have to consider the pitching market

Boras just secured a $172 million contract for Blake Snell, another lefty with questions about workload but a track record of dominance.

Suarez isn’t in Snell’s tier (allegedly) but the point stands: starting pitching is expensive, and it’s only getting pricier. Boras knows how to create bidding wars, and the Phillies won’t be the only team looking for a playoff-tested southpaw next winter.

Ranger Suarez will probably test free agency

Let’s be real—Boras clients almost always hit the open market. Suárez, entering his age-29 season, has a prime opportunity to secure a multi-year payday. By switching to Boras, he’s signaling that he wants top dollar and isn’t interested in any “team-friendly” extensions.

For the Phillies, that means they’ll have to decide whether Suárez’s October heroics and potential for growth are worth the price tag.

Trade Rumors: Smoke or Fire?

The fact that Matt Gelb reported the Phillies considered trading Suarez this offseason is notable. It suggests the front office may already be preparing for life without him. But pulling the trigger on a deal feels unlikely unless they’re blown away by an offer—you don’t trade one of your best postseason pitchers when your window to win is wide open.

The Phillies have time to evaluate Suarez this season and decide if they want to commit long-term. If they’re serious about keeping him, they’ll likely need to start negotiating before free agency—because once Boras gets involved on the open market, all bets are off. Otherwise, the Phillies could find themselves weighing a qualifying offer and collecting draft compensation while watching Suarez cash in elsewhere.

Boras will squeeze every bit of leverage out of Suarez’s postseason resume and unique strengths. If the Phillies want him back, they’ll need to outbid other suitors and accept the risk that comes with the reward.

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