Breaking: Phillies Sign Pitcher To Massive $135 Million Deal

One of baseball's top young arms has just earned a massive five-year extension from the Philadelphia Phillies. It's a $135 million deal for Jesus Luzardo.

BREAKING: Left-hander Jesús Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies are in agreement on a five-year contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Luzardo, 28, was set to become a free agent after this season. The new deal will begin in 2027 and locks up one of baseball’s best young arms.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 9, 2026

The deal pays the 28-year-old will average $27 million a season on the deal, which kicks in in the 2027 season. He'll earn $11 million this season in his final arbitration year.

Last season, the blossoming starter posted a 3.92 ERA in his first year in Philly with a tremendous 216:57 strikeout to walk ratio in 183 innings. The Phils acquired him the previous offseason from the Miami Marlins in a December 2024 trade.

In his first spring start, last week, Luzardo struck out five against no walks in three scoreless innings, and looks ready to build off his terrific 2025 campaign. He finished 7th in Cy Young balloting last season, and could force his way even further up the chain in 2026.

The Phillies' rotation takes on a new look this season, with the loss of Ranger Suarez in free agency. With perennial Cy Young candidate Zack Wheeler out until late April or May, Cristopher Sanchez will take over as the No. 1 man to start the year, followed by Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker and the team's top prospect for four years' running, Lance Painter.