This story was excerpted from Paul Casella’s Phillies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
PHILADELPHIA — Jesús Luzardo‘s debut season in Philadelphia went better than just about anybody — including himself — could have anticipated.
So perhaps it’s no surprise that Luzardo — who agreed last week to an $11 million contract for 2026 to avoid arbitration — recently told MLB.com that he’d be happy to stay in Philadelphia well beyond when his contract expires following the upcoming season.
“I’d obviously love to be a Phillie for a long time,” Luzardo said last month while appearing at former teammate Xavier Edwards’ free baseball skills camp in Coconut Creek, Fla. “I had a great time last year. I really love the organization and the clubhouse.”
Acquired from the Marlins for a pair of prospects in December 2024, Luzardo immediately developed into a legitimate National League Cy Young Award candidate in his first season with the Phillies. He wasted no time making a strong impression, going 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA over his first 11 starts.
Then, of course, came the oft-discussed two-start stretch from May 31-June 5. Luzardo was tagged for 20 runs in just 5 2/3 innings across those two outings, later speculating that he may have been tipping pitches.
The southpaw responded well following that two-start blip, ultimately finishing the season 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and 216 strikeouts (second most in NL). Outside of those two disastrous starts, Luzardo had a 3.03 ERA in his other 30 outings.
He finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting while emerging as one of the most reliable arms for the 96-win NL East champions.
Did any of it exceed his expectations?
“I didn’t know what to expect really, going into a new organization like that,” Luzardo said. “But it did kind of exceed — just like seeing how the organization was run, the guys in the clubhouse, the fans in the stands. Everything just kind of, I don’t want to say caught me by surprise, but it was very refreshing to see that and I really enjoyed it.”
Needless to say, he’d like to experience more of that in the years to come.
“I haven’t had any conversations with them about that,” Luzardo said of a possible contract extension. “But in terms of how much I love Philly, I had a great time.”
That’s a conversation that will likely happen at some point, though the Phillies’ offseason focus is elsewhere at the moment. Though the club already re-signed Kyle Schwarber to a five-year, $150 million deal, there are still significant decisions to be made.
J.T. Realmuto, considered the club’s top priority after the Schwarber deal, remains unsigned. The Phillies also reportedly met on Monday with free-agent infielder Bo Bichette. A potential deal with Bichette would likely shut the door on bringing back Realmuto.
As a pitcher coming off the best year of his career, Luzardo recognizes the value of having someone like Realmuto behind the plate.
“He had an incredible impact on me. He helped me out a lot pitching-wise and being prepared,” Luzardo said of Realmuto. “Watching him always be prepared and the work that he does and how good he is on the field, in the clubhouse, behind the plate — it’s incredible to watch. Very hopeful to have him back.”
What happens with Realmuto this offseason remains to be seen — as does Luzardo’s future in Philadelphia beyond 2026.
MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola contributed to this report.
