Story perspectives

Phillies Secure Luzardo with $135M Extension Through 2031

3/10/2026

Summary

Phillies Secure Luzardo

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Jesús Luzardo to a five-year, $135 million extension through 2031.
The deal keeps Luzardo from free agency after the 2026 season.
In 2025, Luzardo went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and 216 strikeouts.
Two poor outings due to pitch tipping are excluded, leaving a 3.03 ERA.
He joins Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez in a rotation aimed at contending.

History

Historical Context

Major League Baseball's free agency began in 1976, transforming player contracts and team dynamics. This shift followed Curt Flood's 1970 lawsuit challenging the reserve clause, which restricted player movement. The landmark case led to significant contracts, such as Catfish Hunter's $10 million deal with the Yankees. Today, Jesús Luzardo's recent five-year, $135 million extension with the Phillies exemplifies the ongoing evolution of player rights and financial strategies in the league.

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Phillies Secure Luzardo

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Jesús Luzardo to a five-year, $135 million extension through 2031.
The deal keeps Luzardo from free agency after the 2026 season.
In 2025, Luzardo went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA and 216 strikeouts.
Two poor outings due to pitch tipping are excluded, leaving a 3.03 ERA.
He joins Zack Wheeler and Cristopher Sanchez in a rotation aimed at contending.

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