The Philadelphia Phillies awoke with their first real big move of the offseason on Sunday. As an early holiday present to fans, the team announced a trade for Miami Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo.
The Phillies sent No. 4 prospect shortstop Starlyn Caba and No. 23 prospect outfielder Emaarion Boyd to Miami in the exchange, which also saw the Phillies acquire minor league catcher/outfielder Paul McIntosh.
Despite elbow and back issues cutting his 2024 season short, the Phillies felt confident enough that Luzardo would be fully healthy and had no qualms about bringing in the 27-year-old to create possibly the top starting rotation in Major League Baseball.
Jesús Luzardo, Philadelphia Phillie. pic.twitter.com/sKaA4sKe1Q
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 22, 2024
Phillies projected Opening Day starting rotation after Jesús Luzardo trade
So, how will the Phillies' starting rotation look on Opening Day in 2025 with the addition of Luzardo?
- Zack Wheeler (R)
- Cristopher Sánchez (L)
- Aaron Nola (R)
- Ranger Suárez (L)
- Jesús Luzardo (L)
Luzardo slots in as a quality mid- to back-end of the rotation arm, depending on how he bounces back from a tough 2024 season. He posted a 5.00 ERA in 12 starts before landing on the 60-day IL with a lumbar back stress reaction. He also missed time with left elbow tightness.
In his two previous full seasons with the Marlins, Luzardo posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 10.58 K/9 and 2.90 BB/9. He threw a career-high 178 2/3 innings in 2023, compiling a career-best 3.8 fWAR. The Phillies will be counting on the former Washington Nationals third-round draft pick to revert to his 2023 form.
The top of the Phillies 2025 rotation features undisputed staff ace Zack Wheeler who will likely take the ball on Opening Day. How manager Rob Thomson lines up the rest of his starters behind the perennial Cy Young contender will be an interesting puzzle to piece together.
Breaking up the two right-handers, Wheeler and Aaron Nola, with a lefty like Cristopher Sánchez is a possible move. Left-hander Ranger Suárez, who's heading into a contract season, will be looking to recapture his first-half form from 2024.
Notably absent from this rotation is beleaguered veteran Taijuan Walker. With no promises made about his spot next season, Walker could find himself pushed to the bullpen as a long-man and break-glass-in-case-of-emergency rotation depth.
The Phillies expect No. 2 prospect Andrew Painter to make his MLB debut in 2025, although he won't be with the team on Opening Day as he builds up his strength in the minors. The Phillies will be managing his innings after he missed most of two seasons with Tommy John surgery. After a blistering performance in the Arizona Fall League, the team will want to see Painter utilized at some point, but exactly how remains to be seen.