Phillies get great news from Jesus Luzardo on looming free agency

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies get great news from Jesus Luzardo on looming free agency image

The Philadelphia Phillies didn't make a lot of successful moves last offseason, with Max Kepler, Jordan Romano, and Joe Ross being complete busts.

But they made one trade, an intra-division deal with the Miami Marlins for lefty starter Jesus Luzardo, that's worked out great. He's a star, and the Phillies are much better off with him in the rotation.

Heading into 2026, the final year of his deal, the Phillies have a big decision to make with his looming free agency. Fortunately, as Paul Casella of MLB.com reveals, Luzardo wants to come back to Philly after 2026.

Jesus Luzardo wants to come back to Philly after 2026

"I'd obviously love to be a Phillie for a long time," Luzardo said. "I had a great time last year. I really love the organization and the clubhouse."

Hearing that Luzardo wants to stay in Philadelphia is welcome news for fans and the Phillies. He was great for them in 2025 and would be a nice long-term investment for the Phillies to make.

This upcoming 2026 season is his last on his current deal, which pays him a little above $10 million in arbitration. While he's going to get a significant raise next offseason, the Phillies will have the means to keep him.

As things currently stand, the Phillies are set to get $80 million or so in savings next offseason with contracts coming off the books.

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Nick Castellanos and Taijuan Walker will be off the team next winter, saving roughly $40 million. Alec Bohm will save $10.2 million, and combined with Luzardo's $10 million and a few other smaller deals coming off the books, the Phillies will have plenty of money.

Putting a lot of that money back into the team makes sense, and doing so with Luzardo would be a smart move to make. The 28-year-old lefty had a 3.92 ERA with the Phillies in 2025.

But, if it weren't for a few blow-up starts in the middle of the year, Luzardo would've finished as one of the better pitchers in Major League Baseball last season.

Another strong season, and not only will Luzardo be poised to land a massive new deal, but the Phillies might feel more inclined to sign him long-term. Luzardo wants to stay, clearing the first major hurdle for a possible extension next season.

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Editorial Team