Ranger Suárez is heading to Boston, and with that, the Phillies have a significant hole to fill in their rotation. Suárez, the club’s steady No. 3 starter for much of the last few years, gave Philadelphia quality innings and postseason poise.
Now, with a five-year, $130 million deal in his pocket, he's trading red pinstripes for Fenway green. For a Phillies team built to win now, replacing his presence in the rotation isn’t just important-it’s essential.
Dave Dombrowski and the front office have a few different routes they can take. There are high-end arms on the free-agent market, value plays who could round out the rotation, and even blockbuster trade options if the Phillies want to swing big. Let’s break down four pitchers who could realistically step into Suárez’s shoes-and possibly even elevate the rotation alongside Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.
1. Framber Valdez - The Proven Workhorse
If the Phillies want to go the free-agent route and stay left-handed in Suárez’s old spot, Framber Valdez is the top name on the board. The longtime Astro has been one of the most reliable starters in baseball over the last four seasons-posting double-digit wins and logging 28+ starts each year. That kind of durability is hard to find, especially from the left side.
Valdez also brings something that fits right into the Phillies' DNA: playoff experience. He’s made eight postseason starts in the last four years, including deep runs with Houston. That kind of October pedigree matters in Philly, where expectations are measured in rings, not regular-season records.
At 32, Valdez is a couple of years older than Suárez, but his resume could still earn him a long-term deal with a similar average annual value. If the Phillies want a steady, playoff-tested lefty who can slot right behind Wheeler and Nola, Valdez makes a ton of sense.
2. Zac Gallen - The Bounce-Back Candidate with Big Upside
Zac Gallen might not be the flashiest name on the market right now, but don’t let last season’s dip fool you-this is a guy who knows how to pitch. Even in a down year, Gallen racked up 13 wins across 33 starts, showcasing the kind of durability teams crave. And just a few seasons ago, he was one of the most dominant arms in the National League, winning 17 games and putting up a 4.4 WAR.
He’s also battle-tested in the postseason. Gallen was a key piece of Arizona’s 2023 World Series run, making six playoff starts and showing he can handle the moment. At 31, he’s still in his prime and could be a great candidate for a short-term, prove-it deal-especially if the Phillies believe he can bounce back to his All-Star form.
If Dombrowski wants a high-upside arm without committing to a long-term contract, Gallen could be the perfect mix of experience and potential.
3. Zack Littell - The Underrated Option
Zack Littell isn’t going to dominate headlines, but he’s quietly carved out a solid role since transitioning into a starter. After bouncing around early in his career, Littell found stability in Tampa Bay, making 65 starts from 2023 to 2025 and putting together back-to-back eight-win seasons before being dealt to Cincinnati.
He’s still on the market with spring training just around the corner, and for a team like the Phillies, that could be an opportunity. Littell won’t cost much, and he could be a valuable depth piece or even claim the fifth starter spot outright.
With this rotation, Littell wouldn’t need to carry the load-he’d just need to be consistent. And he’s shown he can do that.
If the Phillies are looking for a low-risk, potentially high-reward arm to round out the rotation, Littell is worth a serious look.
4. Tarik Skubal - The Blockbuster Swing
Now here’s the big one. If Dombrowski wants to go all-in-and let’s be honest, that’s kind of his thing-then Tarik Skubal is the ultimate prize.
The reigning back-to-back AL Cy Young winner has been nothing short of dominant, and his 2025 campaign was a clinic: 13-6 record, 2.21 ERA, 241 strikeouts in 195 innings. That’s ace-level production, full stop.
Skubal is still under contract through 2026, but there have been rumblings that the Tigers might be open to moving him. If that’s true, Dombrowski-who knows the Detroit system inside and out-could be in a position to make a serious play.
It wouldn’t come cheap. The cost in prospects would be significant, and there’s the added challenge of re-signing Skubal long-term. But if the Phillies want to maximize this championship window, a Wheeler-Nola-Skubal trio would instantly become one of the most formidable rotations in baseball.
This is the kind of move that signals you're not just trying to compete-you’re trying to win it all.
The Bottom Line: Time to Make a Move
Losing Ranger Suárez stings, no doubt about it. He gave the Phillies reliability, poise, and big-game moxie.
But this team isn’t built to take a step back. With a veteran core and a front office that’s never been shy about spending or swinging big, the Phillies have options-and they need to act on them.
Whether it’s signing a proven free agent like Valdez, betting on a bounce-back with Gallen, adding depth with Littell, or going all-in on Skubal, Dombrowski has multiple paths to keep this team in the thick of the NL race.
The clock is ticking, and the window won’t stay open forever. If the Phillies want to bring another parade down Broad Street, the next move needs to be bold-and it needs to be now.