PHILADELPHIA — In a move that caught many around baseball off guard, Philadelphia Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski has reportedly set his sights on locking down newly acquired left-hander Jesús Luzardo to a long-term contract extension this offseason.
The surprising development came during Dombrowski’s end-of-season media session, where he hinted that the organization views Luzardo as a “core piece” of the Phillies’ future rotation — signaling the club’s intent to secure the talented southpaw before he approaches free agency.
“Jesús has the kind of arm and makeup we want to build around,” Dombrowski said. “We see him as a big part of what we’re doing here for years to come, and we’re definitely open to exploring something long-term with him this offseason.”
Luzardo, 27, joined the Phillies in a midseason trade that bolstered Philadelphia’s rotation depth and added a dynamic left-handed presence behind aces Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Since his arrival, the hard-throwing Venezuelan-American pitcher quickly made an impression with his electric fastball, improving command, and competitive edge — traits that have reportedly made Dombrowski eager to keep him in red pinstripes for the long haul.
The news of potential extension talks comes as a pleasant surprise to fans who expected the front office to prioritize bullpen upgrades and lineup depth this winter. Instead, Dombrowski’s proactive stance on Luzardo underscores the Phillies’ broader commitment to maintaining one of the National League’s most formidable rotations.
“When you see what he can do, the ceiling is clear,” Dombrowski added. “He’s still young, still improving, and we believe his best baseball is ahead of him — right here in Philadelphia.”
If finalized, a Luzardo extension would mark another bold move in Dombrowski’s tenure — one defined by a willingness to invest heavily in proven talent and long-term stability. The Phillies already have Wheeler under an extension signed earlier this year, and Nola inked a seven-year deal before the 2024 season.
Keeping Luzardo alongside them would give Philadelphia one of the most secure and balanced starting rotations in baseball for years to come.
For a fan base that has grown accustomed to big moves and bold decisions, this latest announcement from Dombrowski may be one of his most popular yet.
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