The Philadelphia Phillies are coming off an underwhelming offseason in which they’ve retained the core that won 96 games a season ago, but have made no moves to get substantially better.
One way for the front office to at least give themselves some encouragement about their future is by signing a player of two to a contract extension, and there are two candidates who immediately come to mind.
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With Jesus Luzardo coming off an incredible season heading into a contract year, signing him to an extension may be difficult for the Phillies, but it wouldn’t hurt to at least try.
Luzardo has suffered some injuries during his career, but when he’s been on the mound, the 28-year-old has been one of the most consistent pitchers in all of baseball. Over 137 career appearances at the big-league level, Luzardo owns a 4.19 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He’s also made dramatic strides in
With Zack Wheeler coming off a major injury, Aaron Nola showing signs of regression, and losing Ranger Suarez in free agency, the Phillies must do something to partner Cristopher Sanchez with a one-two punch at the top of the rotation for the future, and Luzardo has proven he can be that pitcher.
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He even opened up about possibly being open to signing an extension with the organization.
Sep 24, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Bryson Stott may never live up to the potential of being a star or lead an offense after being selected in the first round of the 2019 draft, but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player.
The 28-year-old has carved out a solid role with the Phillies and is still showing signs of getting better, too, making him an intriguing extension candidate. After the All-Star in 2025, Stott logged a .855 OPS with 21 extra-base hits, easily his best prolonged stretch at the big-league level.
If Stott can pick up right where he left off in 2026 and sustain those stats throughout the year, he could be looking at his first All-Star appearance, which would substantially raise his salary in arbitration next offseason. Right now might be the best time for the Phillies to sign him to a team-friendly extension for the foreseeable future.
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With Stott’s elite defense and high contact rate, his floor should remain high throughout his career, making an extension a true low-risk, high-reward move.
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