In a notable trade, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, along with a minor league catcher, in exchange for two prospects. The Phillies traded shortstop Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd to the Marlins. Caba, aged 19, had participated in 26 games with Single-A Clearwater last season, while Boyd, 21, recorded a batting average of .239 with three home runs for High-A Jersey Shore.
Luzardo, now 27, has had a challenging recent history, finishing the previous season with a record of 3-6 and a 5.00 ERA across 12 starts, partly due to issues with his elbow and back. Despite these setbacks, he holds a career ERA of 4.29 over 89 starts spanning six seasons with both the Athletics and Marlins. Scouts see Luzardo as a “buy-low” opportunity, indicating that he hasn’t yet fully realized his potential since being drafted in the third round by the Washington Nationals in 2016. His standout performance occurred in 2023, where he made 32 starts for the Marlins, achieving a record of 10-10 with an impressive 3.58 ERA over 178⅔ innings.
Luzardo now joins a robust Phillies rotation that includes seasoned pitchers such as Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, and Cristopher Sanchez. The Phillies have been keen on enhancing their pitching staff through trades, especially following their strategy to minimize spending in the free agency market this offseason. In addition to Luzardo, they recently signed outfielder Max Kepler to a one-year contract worth $10 million, which reflects their cautious financial approach this winter.
Looking ahead, Luzardo has two years left under team control before hitting free agency. After earning $5.5 million last season, he is expected to receive a raise for 2025 through arbitration, which suggests a promising future for both him and the Phillies.
Overall, this trade signifies the Phillies’ commitment to strengthening their roster for upcoming seasons, while Luzardo has the potential to enhance his performance and solidify his place within a competitive rotation. As the Phillies aim for success in the near future, Luzardo’s talent could play a pivotal role in their aspirations.