The San Diego Padres need to address their starting pitching needs going into 2026, and Ranger Suarez could be the answer.

Suarez has played for the Philadelphia Phillies his entire career up to this point. The Phillies will have their own needs to address after a disappointing exit from the NLDS last week. With several of their own players going into free agency, they will undoubtedly want to retain some of them.

Suarez will be in his age 30 season in 2026, still in the prime of his career. He started 26 games for the Phillies in 2025, posting a 3.20 ERA and 3.21 FIP, both career bests.

The Padres’ rotation, as of now, will consist of Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez,  and presumably Yu Darvish, if he chooses not to retire. The team and Michael King have a $15 million mutual option. Dylan Cease is a free agent.

A worst-case scenario could see Pivetta and Musgrove returning, and then several questions about how to fill out the rest of the rotation. The Padres could rely on JP Sears, whom they acquired from the Athletics with Mason Miller at the trade deadline.

Ranger Suarez gives the Padres an established left-handed starter

The Padres tried out Kyle Hart as a rotation candidate early in the 2025 season. He made only six starts and 14 more appearances in relief. He finished 2025 with a 5.86 ERA.

Suarez, if the Padres were to sign him, could provide the left-handed production that they’re looking for. Suarez is not a hard thrower, but his breaking stuff is good enough to prevent solid contact. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 98th percentile in hard-hit percentage (31.1) and 89th percentile in barrel percentage (5.5).

It will come down to money

Several teams will be in on Suarez this winter. The Phillies will likely want to keep him in their rotation, especially with Zack Wheeler‘s future unclear. Media outlets predict that Suarez will receive a contract in the 4- to 6-year range, earning at least $25 million per year.

The Padres have payroll questions going into the winter. Significant money will be off the books, now that the team is finished paying Eric Hosmer‘s contract and players leaving in free agency. However, Manny Machado, Pivetta, and Jackson Merrill will earn raises in 2026.

In addition, the team still has to pay Xander Bogaerts‘ substantial contract, as well as Fernando Tatis, Jr. General manager AJ Preller has gotten creative in the past when signing stars to the roster. He may have to do it again if Suarez is to be a possibility for the Padres.

Mike Ursery

Mike is the sports editor for the Fayette Advertiser, and has been with East Village Times since 2015. His work has appeared on Bleacher Report. He is an avid Padres fan who is keeping the faith and trusting the process.