The Philadelphia Phillies find themselves facing rotation concerns after Ranger Suarez departed in free agency and their pursuit of Bo Bichette to bolster the lineup fell through.
Christopher Kline from Fansided suggests a potential fix for the pitching staff: signing Framber Valdez, the top remaining starting pitcher available.
“Suárez’s exit creates a significant gap in the rotation. While Andrew Painter may earn a starting role during spring training, the Phillies currently face the prospect of relying on both an untested rookie in Painter and veteran Taijuan Walker, who’s past his prime. Adding Valdez would give Philadelphia a formidable October quartet Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sánchez, Jesús Luzardo, and Valdez with Aaron Nola handling the fifth spot without pressure. Painter might actually benefit from more development time. If Valdez seeks a winning situation and the Phillies want to counter their competitors’ offensive improvements, investing in pitching depth makes sense. It’s a mutually beneficial move,” Kline explained.
Last season, Valdez finished 13-11 with a 3.66 ERA, 187 strikeouts, and 1.245 WHIP across 192 innings, though he faded late. His first two-thirds of the season were strong: 11-4, 2.62 ERA, and 141 strikeouts.
Valdez is expected to command a six-year, $199 million contract, though his limited market interest as the offseason winds down could work in Philadelphia’s favor for a reduced price.
If Valdez remains unsigned a bit longer, the Phillies could gain leverage and should move quickly to secure him.
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