After an unsuccessful pursuit to make changes to their lineup, the Phillies are doubling down on their rotation. They have acquired lefty Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, major-league sources told The Athletic. With Luzardo, the Phillies could form one of the best — if not the best — rotations in baseball next season.
Luzardo would slot fifth in the initial rotation behind Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez. The Phillies anticipate their top prospect, Andrew Painter, contributing to the big-league team later in the summer. It’s a deep unit.
Miami will receive Starlyn Caba, a 19-year-old shortstop considered one of the better prospects in the Phillies organization, as part of the return. Emaarion Boyd, a speedy A-ball outfielder, is also part of the package.
In addition to Luzardo, league sources said the Phillies would receive a minor-league catcher from the Marlins.
Luzardo, 27, has a career 4.29 ERA. He had his best season in 2023, when he posted a 3.58 ERA and 208 strikeouts in 178 2/3 innings for Miami. But he comes to the Phillies with some red flags; Luzardo made only 12 starts in 2024. He did not pitch after June 13. He was sidelined by left elbow tightness, then suffered a lumbar stress reaction that ended his season.
The Marlins had shopped Luzardo last summer during their fire sale but teams balked given his uncertain health status. He’s been the subject of trade rumors all offseason.
“Been able to go through my normal offseason progression — throwing, running, starting to get off the mound,” Luzardo told MLB.com last week. “Feeling really good (with my) elbow, back, whole body, and just really gearing up for spring training and eyeing down that Opening Day to be 100 percent full-go, which for now, everything feels really good, and we are full-go.”
Luzardo has two years of club control remaining. He’s projected to make approximately $6 million in 2025 through salary arbitration, according to MLB Trade Rumors. He’d help the Phillies create a formidable rotation in 2025, then compensate for the potential loss in 2026 of Suárez, who is a free agent after next season.
With Luzardo in the mix, the Phillies could trade from their rotation surplus this winter by flipping Suárez for a hitter, but indications are they will lean into run prevention. They signed Max Kepler last week to a one-year, $10 million deal to play left field. Whether he rebounds at the plate remains to be seen, but the Phillies expect above-average defense from Kepler.
The Phillies will cross over the highest luxury tax threshold, $301 million, and are carrying the second-highest payroll in Major League Baseball. Luzardo, then, is likely the finishing touch to a measured offseason.
GO DEEPER
Phillies minor-league preview: The young hitters to watch, from Starlyn Caba to Justin Crawford
(Photo: Orlando Ramirez / Getty Images)
