Where Will Ranger Suárez Land Next? Three Prime Destinations Emerging for the Phillies Lefty. DD

Where will Mr. Rager land?

Some have already written off the idea of free agent Ranger Suárez returning to the Philadelphia Phillies. However many fans remain hopeful that come next February, when pitchers and catchers report, he’ll still be wearing Phillies pinstripes.

With the stove starting to heat up, there seem to be a few teams that have emerged in the sweepstakes for the 30-year-old lefty. MLB insiders have surmised that
Suárez will land a multi-year, multimillion-dollar deal somewhere in the five- to six-year range and anywhere from $115 million to $164 million.

With that in mind, Suárez very well might become too expensive for the Phillies to bring back. Which clubs could potentially sour the hopes of what many fans initially thought would be a no-brainer sweet reunion?

The Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox would have been top potential landing spots. However, after the Blue Jays signed Dylan Cease and the Red Sox traded for Sonny Gray we’ll have to take them out of the running for Mr. Rager’s services.

3 top landing spots for Phillies free agent Ranger Suárez

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are looking for just about everything this offseason. After cheaping out on starting pitching last winter, this year it sounds like they’re showing interest in the bigger names on the free agent market. They reportedly showed interest in Cease before he signed in Toronto and have also kicked the tires on Framber Valdez and Tatsuya Imai.

While Suárez hasn’t been connected to the Orioles per se, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear that his agent Scott Boras has spoken to Baltimore’s president of baseball operations Mike Elias. If they’re thinking about shopping in the top tier of free agent starting pitching, Suárez would have to be an option, especially as the Orioles aren’t shying away from signing anyone with a qualifying offer attached to them.

Chicago Cubs

Even with Chicago Cubs Japanese southpaw Shota Imanaga surprisingly accepting the club’s qualifying offer, they’re still reportedly looking for pitching. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that acquiring additional pitching help is a main priority this offseason.

They need another established veteran to throw opposite their ace, righty Justin Steele when he returns. With three of their projected starters already over 34, Suárez would help secure their starting five for the long term, with youngster Cade Horton. Who better to fill the void as a No. 2 than Ranger Danger himself?

San Francisco Giants

The last, and most surprising name on the list, is the San Francisco Giants of the National League West. However, the team’s former backstop and current president of baseball operations Buster Posey mentioned he has the means and the drive to be aggressive this free agency.

One clear need the Giants have is starting pitching help behind their No. 1 Logan Webb. Suárez would be a fantastic No. 2 beside the aging lefty Robbie Ray. With experience in the NL and his ability to induce ground balls, he’d be a perfect fit to hurl every fifth day at Oracle Park.