The Philadelphia Phillies have spent a bit of money this offseason, with the bulk coming from Kyle Schwarber’s $150 million contract.
Schwarber is back, but there were still a few contract issues to figure out for a couple of fan-favorites this offseason.
According to Ari Alexander of 7 News, the Phillies have resolved one of those contract issues, avoiding arbitration by agreeing to an $11 million deal with lefty Jesus Luzardo.
Phillies sign Luzardo to $11 million contract”Source: The Phillies and LHP Jesus Luzardo have reached an agreement for $11 million, avoiding arbitration,” Alexander reports.
This is a significant deal for the Phillies, not just in the sense that they’ve officially locked in Luzardo for the 2026 MLB season, but that they’re avoiding arbitration for a key starter.
He will be integral to the rotation in 2026, especially with some uncertainty with Zack Wheeler to begin the season.
Luzardo had an up-and-down 2025 season, with the middle of the year being a struggle for the new fan favorite lefty.
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While Ranger Suarez sits in free agency and is likely to sign elsewhere, the 2025 trade pickup is returning to the Phillies on an $11 million one-year deal.
He will be a free agent after this season, and the Phillies will need to make a decision by then on whether he will come back or not. A strong 2026 would make Luzardo a prime extension candidate.
But, for now, the Phillies have brought the fan favorite lefty back for another year on an $11 million deal, avoiding arbitration and beginning to finalize their current payroll.
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