Philadelphia Phillies left-handed starting pitcher Ranger Suárez is heading into a contract year. The 29-year-old looked like he had a bright future with the Phillies before a disappointing second half in 2024.

Suárez has proved he has the talent to be among Major League Baseball’s top starting pitchers. His recent hire doesn’t bode well for a contract extension, a move that has already been questioned whether the Phillies will make before he hits free agency.

Ranger Suarez has hired Scott Boras, all but guaranteeing he won’t sign extension with the Phillies

Suárez is super agent Scott Boras’ newest client, per the Boras Corporation Instagram. Boras has negotiated some of baseball’s richest contracts, including Phillies superstar Bryce Harper’s $330 million contract. Boras is known for dragging out negotiations and going above and beyond to ensure his clients get paid.

Suárez got off to an incredible start in 2024. He pitched at an elite level and was an early favorite for the National League Cy Young Award. The southpaw was 10-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 0.92 WHIP through June 25.

Suárez was named to the first All-Star Game of his career for his dominant first half, but he struggled in his three starts leading up to the break. He allowed 22 hits, 15 earned runs, seven walks and hit a batter in that three-game stretch. His struggles didn’t end there.

Suárez made one start after the break against the Minnesota Twins on July 22. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs in 5 1/3 innings, losing his third consecutive start. His season ERA jumped to 2.87.

Suárez’s disastrous second half took a turn for the worse before his next start. He was placed on the IL with a back injury which kept him out for about a month. He didn’t make his next start until Aug. 24.

Suárez failed to make it through the sixth inning in any of his starts after July 12. After a terrific first half, he finished the season with a 12-8 record, 3.46 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 27 starts.

Suárez made his major league debut with the Phillies in 2018. He began his career mostly as a reliever until making a full-time switch to the starting rotation in August of the 2021 season.

The likelihood of Suárez playing his home games at Citizens Bank Park beyond 2025 is slimmer by the day. His name has been thrown into trade rumors this offseason (subscription required), as noted by The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and he’ll have his eyes set on a big payday with his recent hire of Boras.