Phillies could dump projected $45 million starter in trade with Red Sox

Things look a lot different for Ranger Suárez now than they did at this time a year ago.

Suárez was a first-time All-Star in 2024, getting off to a blazing-hot start before cooling off and dealing with some injury concerns down the stretch. Those concerns extended into 2025, as lower-back stiffness cost him the first month of the year before making his season debut on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Suárez has had a career of highs and lows in Philadelphia, and now that he's mere months from free agency, the Phillies have to try and figure out how best to handle his future with the club.

An extension looks less likely now than it did during the offseason. A trade might also be difficult to pull off if Suárez isn't performing up to his best. However, on Tuesday, one baseball writer proposed a hypothetical deal involving an American League contender.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller suggested that the Phillies could ship Suárez to the Boston Red Sox, who have too many young position players to juggle and might be in the market for another starter.

"The trick (here) is finding a contender who both wants a rental pitcher and has an expendable asset that can help the Phillies right now," Miller wrote."Which brings us back to Boston and its glut of outfielders.

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"That isn't to say the Red Sox would ever consider a one-for-one trade of Suárez for Ceddanne Rafaela, but it's a spot that could make sense, especially if the non-Garrett Crochet portion of that rotation continues to struggle."

Rafaela would be an intriguing get for a Phillies team that needs a center fielder, both in the short and long term. He got a $50 million extension from the Red Sox last spring that extends through at least 2031, and he's got immense defensive upside, though his approach at the plate is still a work in progress.

Suárez, meanwhile, is projected for a three-year, $45 million deal by Spotrac. It's probably fair market value for someone who has dealt with ups and downs, and Boston or Philadelphia might both reasonably choose to pass on attempting to re-sign him.

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