A funny thing happened Sunday morning, and it had baseball fans buzzing—news broke that the Phillies traded for lefty starter Jesús Luzardo. While fans were celebrating the acquisition, rival clubs wasted no time. Phones started ringing almost immediately.
“Some clubs called right away,” Phillies president Dave Dombrowski said on Monday.
Can you blame them? The Phillies’ rotation is stacked—five veteran starting pitchers, each with impressive credentials. Sure, they might not yet rival the Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Oswalt-Blanton days, but let’s take a closer look at what’s now dubbed the "New Five Aces":
- Zack Wheeler: A two-time Cy Young Award runner-up and absolute workhorse.
- Aaron Nola: No one has made more starts or pitched more innings since 2018.
- Cristopher Sánchez: An All-Star last season and a rising force on the mound.
- Ranger Suárez: Boasts an incredible 1.43 career postseason ERA.
- Jesús Luzardo: The Marlins’ opening-day starter last season with electric stuff.
Oh, and don’t forget the X-factor: Andrew Painter, the 21-year-old phenom coming back from Tommy John surgery and set to make his MLB debut next season. Suddenly, even Taijuan Walker’s struggles last year (7.10 ERA) don’t feel so daunting. After all, it wasn’t long ago that he posted a stellar 3.03 ERA stretch over 17 starts in 2023.
With this rotation depth, it’s no wonder rival executives were quick to inquire whether Dombrowski might be willing to trade from this embarrassment of riches.
“Hey, it never hurts to ask,” Dombrowski chuckled. But let’s get real—he’s not exactly eager to deal.
“I really do like the idea of having five quality starters out there,” he said, adding, “Good or bad, I’ve always felt that the best way to win is to throw a quality starting pitcher out there every day.”
And he’s absolutely right, especially now. Baseball is in the middle of one of its most pitcher-dominated eras. In 2024, the league-average batting average was just .243—the lowest since the infamous "Year of the Pitcher" in 1968. Back then, MLB had to lower the mound to give hitters a fighting chance. It’s not just a fluke either; it’s been trending this way for years.
The Phillies are betting big on pitching. Dombrowski, known for his bold moves, isn’t new to the concept of building a “super-rotation.” Remember Detroit in 2014? He traded for David Price, adding him to a staff that already included Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Rick Porcello. In Boston, he brought in Chris Sale to join David Price, Rick Porcello, and Eduardo Rodríguez. It’s a strategy he’s always favored.
“When we talked about Luzardo’s scenario and saw he was available, we focused on making our team better any way we possibly could,” Dombrowski explained. “He’s not just a fifth starter—he’s much better than that.”
Luzardo’s addition is a savvy one. He has wipeout stuff, two years of club control, and even though he’s had durability concerns, the Phillies are confident. Last year, Luzardo pitched 178⅔ innings, a testament to his ability when healthy. The Phillies’ medical team has given the thumbs-up, and Dombrowski emphasized, “He’s been throwing and working out already. We believe he’s a quality starter who gives us a chance to win every time out.”
The trade talks for Luzardo gained momentum when Miami’s president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, reached out to Phillies GM Sam Fuld. The deal came together with the Phillies parting ways with 19-year-old shortstop prospect Starlyn Caba and single-A outfielder Emaarion Boyd.
What makes Luzardo even more attractive is his cost-effectiveness. His arbitration salary is expected to be around $6 million in 2024. Compare that to the $370 million the Phillies have already committed to long-term deals with Nola, Wheeler, and Walker.
Meanwhile, the Phillies’ rivals, like the Mets, are taking a different approach. Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has avoided long-term pitching contracts, opting instead for opportunistic signings like Sean Manaea’s three-year, $75 million deal. While their rotation relies on converted relievers and mid-tier starters, the Phillies’ approach screams ambition.
Advantage: Phillies.
This isn’t just about stockpiling talent; it’s about positioning for dominance. Luzardo’s arrival fits perfectly with the Phillies’ offseason philosophy: balance immediate contention with long-term sustainability.
But let’s not forget the bigger picture. The Phillies also need to address their lineup. While star-studded, it’s become too predictable. Aggressive hitters like Nick Castellanos, Trea Turner, and J.T. Realmuto struggle with pitches out of the zone. And with a payroll projected at $306 million—$5 million over the highest luxury-tax threshold—the Phillies couldn’t afford to chase big-ticket bats like Juan Soto, who snagged a jaw-dropping $765 million from Steve Cohen’s Mets.
Instead, the Phillies doubled down on what’s worked for them: elite starting pitching. It’s a strategy designed for both October success and regular-season durability.
“When you have a rotation like ours, you’re not just hoping to win games—you’re expecting to,” Dombrowski said.
And with Zack Wheeler at the peak of his powers, Cristopher Sánchez breaking out, and Jesús Luzardo in the mix, there’s no doubt the Phillies have one of the most enviable rotations in baseball.
So, to the other clubs who called Dombrowski hoping for a trade—nice try. But the Phillies are in it to win it, and with this rotation, they just might.
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