Phillies avoid arbitration with 4 key players, including newly acquired Jesús Luzardo

The Philadelphia Phillies took care of business ahead of the arbitration deadline, reaching one-year agreements with four key players: Jesús Luzardo, Ranger Suárez, Brandon Marsh, and Bryson Stott.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the following players have agreed to terms:

Avoid Arbitration: Luzardo, Suarez, Stott, and Marsh:

• Jesús Luzardo: $6.225M
• Ranger Suárez: $8.8M
• Bryson Stott: $3.2M
• Brandon Marsh: $3M

Jesús Luzardo: The New Addition

The Phillies’ rotation, already stacked with talent, got even scarier with the addition of Luzardo in December. Acquired from the Marlins for shortstop prospect Starlyn Caba and outfielder Emaarion Boyd, Luzardo brings high upside and electric stuff to the mound.

At $6.225M for 2025, Luzardo is an absolute steal. He’s coming off a strong 2023 campaign with Miami, posting a 3.58 ERA and punching out 208 batters. The lefty joins a rotation that includes Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, and Cristopher Sánchez, with Andrew Painter waiting in Triple-A as a future ace in the making.

This acquisition didn’t come without sacrifice. Caba, a highly touted shortstop prospect, was ranked No. 4 in the Phillies’ system before the trade. However, the Phillies managed to avoid moving top names like Painter or Aidan Miller, which makes this deal even more impressive.

Phillies land Jesus Luzardo from the Marlins in exchange for two highly-touted prospects

No Surprises: Suárez, Stott, and Marsh

Suárez has quietly become one of the Phillies’ most reliable pitchers, and his $8.8M deal reflects that. Whether it’s shutting down hitters as a starter or stepping up in high-pressure postseason moments, Suárez has proven time and again that he’s built for the big stage.

His ability to handle any role makes him an invaluable piece of the puzzle as the Phillies aim to contend for a title.

At just $3.2M, Bryson Stott is a bargain for the Phillies. The young infielder continues to grow as a cornerstone of the team, showcasing stellar defense and clutch hitting. Stott’s development has been one of the most encouraging stories for the Phillies, and his deal reflects the team’s commitment to keeping its young core intact.

Dishing out $3 million for Brandon Marsh isn’t bad either. Is he overrated? In my opinion, yes. He has failed to prove himself as an every-day outfielder but at that price tag, the Phillies were obviously more than willing to bring him back in 2025. Plus, Marsh somehow cracked the Top 10 Right Now for MLB Network’s center fielders. Trust me, I was just as shocked as you are seeing him at number six…lol.

Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh cracks our #Top10RightNow for a second consecutive year, this time landing as the #6 center fielder!#Top10RightNow pic.twitter.com/UEOalqGQo5

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 8, 2025

Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa remain unsigned:

The Phillies still have a couple of arbitration cases to resolve. Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa remain unsigned.

If deals aren’t reached, the team and players will exchange salary figures and prepare for February arbitration hearings. While these cases often boil down to minor salary differences, the Phillies will likely aim to avoid any disruptions and get everyone on the same page before Spring Training.

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