The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for what shapes up to be a pivotal 2026 season. Although they’ve consistently reached the postseason in recent years, they’ve fallen short of capturing a World Series title. If that drought continues this year, significant roster changes could follow.
There’s legitimate optimism heading into the campaign, particularly surrounding the starting rotation. One key reason for that confidence is Jesús Luzardo, who is coming off his first season in Philadelphia.
After delivering impressive results last year, the Phillies have been encouraged to lock him up with a contract extension before Opening Day.
Luzardo debuted in 2019 with the Oakland Athletics as a highly regarded prospect but struggled to fully establish himself. A midseason trade in 2021 sent him to the Miami Marlins, where he began to flourish and develop into one of the league’s more intriguing young starters.
Prior to the 2025 season, he was dealt once again — this time to the Phillies — and responded with one of the most complete performances of his career, going 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and a career-best 216 strikeouts.
After agreeing to a one-year, $11 million deal to avoid arbitration, Luzardo is positioned to test free agency next offseason. However, the Phillies have the opportunity to negotiate an extension beforehand. Cole Weintraub of NBC Sports Philadelphia recently urged the team to act quickly, pointing to Luzardo’s strong early showings in Clearwater and the openness from president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski toward extension discussions.
At 28 years old, Luzardo appears to be entering his prime, making him an attractive long-term investment despite Philadelphia’s aging core. The front office could choose to evaluate his early-season performance before committing, but that approach carries the risk of inflating his market value. Securing him now would eliminate uncertainty and solidify a key piece of the rotation, and while extensions always involve some level of risk, wagering on Luzardo’s continued growth could prove to be a smart move for the franchise.
