The Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason has been a somewhat puzzling one. They managed to retain Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto while adding veterans Brad Keller and Adolis García. Still, the failure to land Bo Bichette has left fans disappointed, and another significant move would go a long way toward easing that frustration. Compounding matters, the loss of Ranger Suárez to the Boston Red Sox has created a clear need in the starting rotation.
For that reason, it’s not shocking to hear the Phillies connected to a starting pitcher. However, MLB insider Jon Morosi linking Philadelphia to Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez comes as an unexpected twist.
Morosi noted that while he hasn’t heard extensive chatter about the Phillies as a destination for Valdez, their current pitching depth suggests an opening. He added that the possibility of Valdez landing in Philadelphia shouldn’t be dismissed entirely.
If the Phillies were to pursue Valdez, it would raise some eyebrows. Although the 32-year-old left-hander remains unsigned, he’s unlikely to come at a bargain price. Committing tens of millions of dollars to Valdez would be costly—especially when the team could have instead retained Suárez on a free-agent deal.
Bringing Suárez back would have been a popular move among fans and might have softened the disappointment of losing Bichette to the New York Mets.
To be clear, Valdez is an accomplished veteran who would strengthen almost any rotation. He owns a career 3.36 ERA, has earned All-Star honors, and has delivered several dominant performances throughout his career. While he posted a slightly higher 3.66 ERA last season, he remains a high-quality starter.
That said, quality comes at a price. The Phillies don’t appear to have the financial flexibility to pursue Valdez unless he were willing to accept a short-term deal—something that seems unlikely and still wouldn’t be inexpensive.
Ultimately, Morosi’s report feels perplexing. While Philadelphia certainly needs another starter, investing heavily in Valdez doesn’t align well with the team’s current financial situation. He would be a strong addition on paper, but the fit simply doesn’t make much sense for the Phillies.
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