Phillies Lock Up Jesús Luzardo with $135 Million Extension

The Philadelphia Phillies have secured left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo with a five-year, $135 million contract extension, the team announced Tuesday. The deal, which runs through the 2031 season, includes a $32.5 million club option for 2032, with potential raises based on Cy Young Award voting performance.

Securing a Key Piece of the Rotation

Luzardo, 28, was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. This extension ensures he remains a Phillie for at least the next five years, providing stability to a rotation that already features Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sánchez. The contract reflects Luzardo’s value as one of the highest-paid left-handers in baseball, trailing only Framber Valdez, Blake Snell, Garrett Crochet, and Max Fried .

Luzardo’s Impact in Philadelphia

Acquired from the Miami Marlins in December 2024 in exchange for prospects Starlyn Caba and Emaarion Boyd , Luzardo quickly became a key contributor to the Phillies’ success. In his first season with the team, he went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA, striking out 216 batters in 183 ⅔ innings . He finished seventh in the National League Cy Young Award voting.

Phillies’ Pitching Outlook

The Phillies’ pitching staff has seen some recent changes and uncertainties. Zack Wheeler is recovering from thoracic outlet decompression surgery and is expected to return in April . Aaron Nola’s performance dipped last season, and Taijuan Walker is set to become a free agent after the current season. With Luzardo now secured, the Phillies have a strong core of starting pitchers, including Cristopher Sánchez and the developing Andrew Painter, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Extension Details

The $135 million deal is comparable to the five-year, $130 million contract signed by Ranger Suárez with the Boston Red Sox . The extension includes a $2 million raise for each season Luzardo finishes in the top five of Cy Young Award voting .

Luzardo’s Desire to Stay

Luzardo expressed his enthusiasm for remaining with the Phillies, stating in December, “I’d obviously love to be a Phillie for a long time. I had a great time last year. I really love the organization and the clubhouse.”