Report: Phillies Acquire LHP Jesus Luzardo from Marlins

The Philadelphia Phillies have been looking to add another starting pitcher to help bolster the back end of their rotation.

According to Robert Murray of Fansided, the Phillies have acquired Marlins left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo and catcher Paul McIntosh in a trade with Miami in exchange for one of the  teams top prospects Starlyn Caba along with outfielder Emaarion Boyd.

After a solid 2023, Luzardo dealt with an injured-filled 2024 causing him to be shut down, dealing with elbow soreness and a stress reaction in his back. He made his final start on June 16 and went 3-6 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP in just 12 starts.

He went 10-10 with a 3.58 ERA and 208 strikeouts in 178.2 innings in 2023, helping the Marlins reach the postseason.

If Luzardo can stay healthy, he could start the season as the Phillies' No. 5 starter behind Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez, and Christopher Sanchez. The team is hopeful that top pitching prospect Andre Painter could help the big league club in 2025, which could open the door to move Suárez, who will be a free agent after the 2025 season.

This deal could signal the end for Taijuan Walker, who has two years remaining on his contract. Walker pitched in 19 games in 2024 going 3-7 with a 7.10 ERA and 1.72 WHiP, giving up 24 home runs in 83.2 innings pitched.

McIntosh was the Marlins 30th ranked prospect by Baseball America. The 27-year-old played 117 games for double-A Pensacola last season and slashed .246/.340/.385 with a .725 OPS, and 32 extra-base hits (18 2B, 2 3B, 12 HR). He also started 34 games in left field.

The big name in the deal is Caba, 19, one of the Phillies' top prospects, ranking No. 54 on the Baseball America Top 100 and is considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the minor leagues.