Starting pitching has arguably been the most costly market in Major League Baseball in recent years, and the offseason leading up to the 2025 season has been no different.
By trading for Jesús Luzardo, the Philadelphia Phillies’ front office secured a budget-friendly, team-friendly deal that bolstered their rotation depth.
Considering the steep prices for free-agent pitchers and trade options, the Phillies seem to have maximized their value in the starting pitching market with this move.
Phillies’ trade to bolster starting rotation looks like shrewd move after Corbin Burnes’ deal with D-backs
After watching pitchers like Max Fried and Blake Snell land massive contracts and failing to acquire Garrett Crochet, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski pivoted to securing a more affordable, controllable option in Jesús Luzardo.
Recently, the top remaining free-agent pitcher, 2021 Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, signed a $210 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Burnes opted for an agreement that included an opt-out after two years and prioritized staying closer to home, even leaving money on the table.
As elite starters continue to come off the market, the cost of acquiring impact rotation arms is climbing. Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta are now among the top names available, becoming even more desirable to teams looking to solidify their rotations in the wake of Burnes’ signing.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki is also drawing significant interest, but his earning potential is constrained by age and international signing rules. Beyond Flaherty, Pivetta, and Sasaki, the market for impactful starters thins considerably, leaving mostly back-end options or injury-prone veterans.
Teams like the Seattle Mariners, with pitchers such as Luis Castillo, still have tradeable assets, but they appear reluctant to move their top-tier starters unless overwhelmed by a compelling offer.
Though parting with a top-five prospect like Starlyn Caba may seem costly, the Phillies made a calculated move to strengthen an already formidable area of their roster. The former Marlins lefty, Luzardo, has been a reliable starter when healthy. With a salary of just $8.6 million in 2025 and arbitration eligibility in 2026, Luzardo’s acquisition is a shrewd and valuable addition in today’s pitching market.
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