If the Phillies sign a legit starter, Hoffman or otherwise, they will trade Suarez, and that guy becomes the 3 or 4, not the 5. I don't think they are even serious contenders for Crochet at this point because the trade price is too high, and too many teams want him. But all else being equal I'd still rather have him at two years and lower cost then give Hoffman a long-term starting pitching deal. It's just that it's not equal.
So long as they keep Suarez Phillies just need another Turnbull/Lorenzen type for depth.
I think Soto counts for a lot! And they have already replaced two starting pitchers (with Montas and Holmes). Will probably get a third one too and it might be a big one (they are also on Crochet, nothing stopping them from signing Burnes or someone else either).
And they are probably going to keep Alonso. I think I'd rather they do that, otherwise they'll get someone better/younger (either right away or in the long-term), maybe even poach Schwarbs next year.
I'm with Matt. The Phillies are still one of the four or five best teams in MLB and even if they are only 8th or 9th that means they can get to the World Series. They were hardly the better team every time they won a playoff round in 2022 or 2023 (or the worse team when they lost, except to the Astros).
