5 trade targets from the Philadelphia Phillies for the Colorado Rockies

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez could help the Colorado Rockies in a few ways

Back in October, we chose Ranger Suárez as the one target that the Colorado Rockies should focus in on from the Philadelphia Phillies when we chose one for each and every MLB team and it’s for good reason.

Suárez, 26, had a fantastic season in 2021 as a starter, reliever, and and a closer. He made 39 appearances and he made 12 starts, finished 13 games, and had four saves and he had an ERA of 1.36. He had a FIP of 2.72, a WHIP of an even 1.0, and he averaged 2.8 walks and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings.

He only appeared in three games in 2020 but in 2019, he also pitched well as, in 37 relief appearances, Suárez had a 3.14 ERA (142 ERA+). He had a 3.89 FIP, a 1.315 WHIP, and he averaged 2.2 walks and 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.

For the Rockies, he would be intriguing in any role for two reasons. First of all, he’s a lefty. If he was in the bullpen, he would provide them with another left-handed reliever and the Rockies are thin on that. Rookies Lucas Gilbreath and Ben Bowden were at the top of that very small group at the maor league level or in the high minors in 2021.

Suárez would also be intriguing for his groundball rate. In 173 2/3 innings in the majors, he has a groundball rate of 56.5 percent, which would make him the highest groundball pitcher for the Rockies and by far the case in the bullpen.

Additionally, Suárez isn’t even arbitration-eligible yet so the Rockies would have four years of control with him (at least under the current CBA).