Jesus Luzardo. Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Phillies make rotation even stronger with Jesus Luzardo trade

By Lauren Amour | Last updated Dec 22, 2024 10:36 AM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies added to their already strong starting rotation early Sunday morning, acquiring pitcher Jesus Luzardo and minor league catcher Paul McIntosh from the Miami Marlins in exchange for two prospects.

The left-handed Luzardo spent the last four seasons in Miami, pitching to a 4.15 ERA with a 1.23 WHIP across 403 innings. Last season, the 27-year-old posted a 5.00 ERA in 12 starts. However, Luzardo's season was cut short due to a lumbar stress reaction, ending the year on the 60-day injured list.

Still, the Peruvian's name was floated in trade rumors all offseason, and the Phillies, reportedly finished spending, landed him by sending No. 4 infield prospect Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd.

Luzardo debuted with the A's in 2019 before being traded for Starling Marte at the 2021 trade deadline. His best season came in 2023 with Miami when he tossed 178.2 innings, striking out a career-high 208 batters to the tune of a 3.58 ERA. Luzardo has nasty stuff when healthy.

Jesús Luzardo's 2Ks in the 2nd...and K Strut. ✝️ pic.twitter.com/S1XqFcA8lI
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 4, 2023

The southpaw joins a rotation of Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Philadelphia was said to be searching for a fifth starter, so Luzardo will likely fill that role until top right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter is ready to join the rotation.

Sanchez and Suarez are also lefties, so Suarez, who struggled in the second half last season, could return to the bullpen. Adding Luzardo gives the Phillies options and some balance within their starting staff.

The trade will probably be president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski's last major move this winter, as he's fulfilled his offseason wishlist of a No. 5 starter (Luzardo), late-inning RHP (Jordan Romano) and an outfielder to play left field (Max Kepler).

But only time will tell if this is enough for Philadelphia to return to the World Series in 2025.

Lauren Amour

Lauren Amour is a writer and editor based in the Greater Philadelphia area. She currently works as an editor and writer at Yardbarker, covering MLB and the Philadelphia Phillies. Lauren also covers MLB and fantasy sports for Rotoballer and owns her own Substack, Phillies Phocus

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