Mar 19, 2024; Lakeland, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports Nathan Ray Seebeck
The Phillies will get a minimal return now that Ranger Suárez has departed to sign a five-year/$130 million contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Because Suárez declined a one-year/$22.025 million qualifying offer from the Phillies at the outset of the offseason, the Phillies will receive a compensatory selection after the fourth round of the 2026 MLB Draft for losing him. It's not nothing, but it's a pretty small consolation prize for a pitcher that posted a 3.38 ERA across parts of eight seasons in red pinstripes.
The reason that the Phillies only get this small of a return for losing a qualified free agent is because they were competitive balance tax payers in 2025. The Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers all fall into the same boat as 2025 luxury tax payers, per The Associated Press.
Also, because the Phillies were luxury tax payers this past season, they would face the stiffest penalty if they signed a free agent who rejected a qualifying offer. So, for example, if the Phillies sign Bo Bichette, they'll lose their second and fifth-round picks in 2026, along with $1 million in international bonus pool money.
If you want to frame things in a more positive way for the Phillies, the penalty for signing Bichette would be a little less stiff now that they've recouped another selection in the 2026 MLB Draft.
