The Philadelphia Phillies were in the market for a major addition to their starting rotation and found it in Jesús Luzardo.
In a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins, the Phillies acquired Luzardo, a 27-year-old left-handed starter with plenty of potential. While injuries hampered his 2024 season, Luzardo is poised to be a key piece for Philadelphia in 2025.
The team reportedly opted for Luzardo over a reunion with reliever Jeff Hoffman, as noted by Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Hoffman, a reliable bullpen arm for the Phillies last season, remains a free agent and is seeking a contract similar to the three-year, $38 million deal Clay Holmes signed with the New York Mets, who intend to convert Holmes into a starter after his career as a reliever.
Gelb mentioned that the Phillies could have brought Hoffman back in a hybrid role—starting temporarily before transitioning back to the bullpen when Andrew Painter returns. However, the team ultimately prioritized Luzardo. It’s unclear if such a scenario was ever proposed to Hoffman, but the Phillies have long viewed him as best suited for late-inning relief.
While Hoffman was impressive in 2024, the decision to acquire Luzardo—offering more years of control at a lower cost—appears to be the smarter long-term move.
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