With spring training just around the corner, the MLB offseason is heating up - and while the Philadelphia Phillies weren’t exactly at the center of the storm this past week, they still had a few noteworthy developments. The biggest headlines came from within the NL East, with the Mets and Nationals making splashy moves, but Philly still managed to make some noise - even if it was more of a low rumble than a thunderclap.
Let’s break down what’s been going on in the City of Brotherly Love - from a surprising name reveal to bullpen moves and a familiar face finding a new home.
Ranger Suárez? Turns out, it’s actually Rangel
File this one under “things you didn’t see coming”: Ranger Suárez, longtime Phillies left-hander and fan favorite, revealed during his introductory press conference with the Boston Red Sox that his real name isn’t actually “Ranger.”
It’s Rangel. Pronounced rahn-HEHL.
Yes, just one letter off - but it completely changes the way we’ve all been saying (and hearing) his name for years.
“My name is actually Rangel, but however you guys want to address me,” Suárez said through an interpreter. “Ranger is how most people do, so I’m comfortable with either.”
So, for years, Phillies fans - and pretty much the entire baseball world - have been calling him Ranger, and he just rolled with it. That’s the kind of laid-back demeanor fans came to love during his time in Philly. And while the name reveal might’ve caused a double-take, it’s not likely to change how he’s remembered in Philadelphia or how he’s introduced on the mound in Boston.
Suárez, who had spent his entire big league career with the Phillies, signed a five-year, $130 million deal with the Red Sox this offseason. It’s a significant payday and a well-earned one, but it also signals a changing of the guard in Philadelphia. With payroll constraints tightening the front office’s flexibility, Suárez became the odd man out - a tough loss for a rotation that leaned heavily on his consistency in recent years.
Tim Mayza returns on minor-league deal
While the Phillies weren’t making blockbuster moves this week, they did dip into the bullpen market - albeit in a more under-the-radar way.
Left-hander Tim Mayza is returning to the organization on a minor-league deal, per The Athletic. He’ll get an invite to big league camp and a shot at cracking the Opening Day bullpen.
Mayza’s 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster. He started the year on the injured list, made his way back with the Pirates, and eventually landed in Philly via trade. He only logged 7 1/3 innings in a Phillies uniform, posting a 4.91 ERA, but his overall numbers - including a 3.78 ERA in 16 1/3 total innings between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia - suggest there’s still something left in the tank.
The Phillies thought enough of him to include him on their NLDS roster, even though he didn’t appear in the series against the Dodgers. With three bullpen spots still up for grabs heading into spring training, Mayza will be in the mix - and if he’s healthy, he could be a valuable lefty option.
Seranthony Domínguez lands in Chicago
One former Phillie who did make a splash this week? Seranthony Domínguez.
After nearly three months on the free agent market, the 31-year-old right-hander inked a two-year, $20 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the White Sox plan to use Domínguez as their closer - a role he’s more than capable of handling, with 40 career saves under his belt (28 of those with the Phillies).
Domínguez had a strong 2025 campaign, splitting time between the Orioles and Blue Jays. He posted a 3.16 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings and was a key contributor in Toronto’s run to Game 7 of the World Series. In the postseason, he pitched to a 3.18 ERA over 11 1/3 innings, showing he can still deliver in high-leverage moments.
His time in Philadelphia - which spanned from 2018 through mid-2024 - was marked by both electric stuff and occasional injury setbacks. In 230 appearances with the Phillies, Domínguez tallied a 3.71 ERA and 253 strikeouts across 220 2/3 innings. He was a key piece of the bullpen during multiple playoff runs, and while a reunion might’ve made sense on paper, the Phillies opted to go in a different direction.
Still, it’s hard not to root for Seranthony. If he takes the ninth inning reins in Chicago and thrives, it wouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who watched him work in red pinstripes.
Looking ahead
With less than three weeks until pitchers and catchers report, the Phillies’ roster is starting to take shape - but there’s still work to be done. The re-signing of J.T. Realmuto was the big-ticket move this offseason, but depth pieces like Mayza and the loss of longtime contributors like Suárez and Domínguez reflect a team in transition.
The NL East isn’t getting any easier, and with the Mets and Nationals making aggressive moves, the Phillies will need to find production from both their stars and their supporting cast.
Spring training is coming fast. Buckle up.