Philadelphia Phillies: Should Ranger Suarez be in the starting rotation?
By David Esser
Why moving Suarez to the rotation doesn’t makes sense.
On the flip side of this discussion, transitioning Suarez into a full-time starting role doesn’t make sense for two major reasons. Number one being that it simultaneously creates another hole in the bullpen.
While I think everyone is in agreement that starting pitchers are more valuable than relief pitchers, the bullpen has still become a very focal point to securing wins in today’s modern era. With free agent additions Brandon Kintzler and Archie Bradley not performing as advertised this season, the need for someone like Suarez in the ‘pen is significant. Not only does he help the team’s current relief situation, but he is another young piece worth building around moving forward.
With JoJo Romero gone for the next 12+ months due to Tommy John surgery, the need for more lefties in the bullpen is equally as high as in the rotation.
As things currently stand, the Philadelphia Phillies would also likely prefer to keep Vince Velasquez and Spencer Howard in the starting rotation. Velasquez has given the team an unprecedented level of production this season, and Howard needs further innings pitched to develop his strength and stamina – not less.
With both Velasquez and Howard coming off solid starts during the Miami series, now would be a rather weird time to remove either from the rotation.