The Philadelphia Phillies have been connected to an elite replacement for pitcher Ranger Suarez.
It seems like a foregone conclusion that Ranger Suarez will not be back with the Philadelphia Phillies next season, which could leave a pretty big hole in the Phillies' starting rotation.
Yes, Philadelphia still has top-tier arms like Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo, and Zack Wheeler is working his way back from thoracic outlet syndrome.
But there is no question that losing Sanchez will hurt.
That is, of course, unless the Phillies sign a similar — if not better — pitcher.
Fox Sports listed a few candidates that the team can still sign this offseason, and one of the potential targets listed was Framber Valdez.
"Yes, career-long Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez has become one of the best starting pitchers in the sport. The problem? He has been held back by injuries over the last four years, including ones pertaining to his back, elbow and hamstring. Valdez, a two-time All-Star, is a safer bet on a long-term deal than Suarez," Fox Sports wrote.
Framber Valdez. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.Valdez is the top arm remaining on the free-agent market and is coming off of a 2025 campaign with the Houston Astros in which he logged a 3.66 ERA while allowing 171 hits and registering 187 strikeouts over 192 innings of work.
It was actually Valdez's highest ERA since 2019, and at that point, he wasn't a full-time starter, but he owns a lifetime 3.36 ERA and 1.204 WHIP.
The left-hander has also averaged 191.8 innings over the last four seasons, so he would bring some much-needed durability to the Phillies' pitching staff (although he did have a bit of an elbow scare in 2024).
The question is whether or not Philadelphia would be willing to pay the cost it would take to acquire Valdez, as the Phillies seem to be making it clear that they aren't being too spendthrift this winter.
The 32-year-old is expected to command a contract worth in the neighborhood of $150-170 million, and Philadelphia has already re-signed Kyle Schwarber on a $150 million deal.
"A starting rotation that includes a healthy Wheeler, Valdez, [Aaron] Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo is an elite unit," Fox Sports added. "Starting pitching has become Philadelphia's identity. Bringing in Valdez helps the Phillies preserve that identity."
That is certainly true, but Philadelphia will have to pay a hefty cost to make it happen.