The Philadelphia Phillies made a calculated move by signing Jesús Luzardo to a five-year, $135 million extension. While the deal strengthens the rotation, it could make it harder for the club to retain certain players down the line.
According to Christopher Kline of FanSided, one player who might be affected is veteran reliever José Alvarado, whose current contract expires after this season. With Luzardo’s new deal adding to the payroll, Philadelphia may struggle to match the kind of offer Alvarado could attract on the open market.
Alvarado’s 2025 season ended early after he received a suspension and was ruled ineligible for the postseason following a positive PED test. He later apologized and is expected to return to a high-leverage bullpen role in what will be a contract year. Before the suspension, the hard-throwing left-hander logged 26 innings with a 3.81 ERA and 32 strikeouts.
Relievers with his profile usually draw strong interest in free agency. Alvarado’s triple-digit fastball and ability to generate both swings-and-misses and ground balls make him particularly appealing. Control problems occasionally surface, and mistakes over the middle of the plate can be punished, but his track record in high-pressure situations keeps him in demand. With the Phillies already investing heavily in their bullpen and rotation, Kline suggests Alvarado’s asking price could eventually exceed what president Dave Dombrowski is willing to pay.
Before the suspension, Alvarado finished the season with a 4-2 record, a 3.81 ERA, 32 strikeouts, a 1.308 WHIP and seven saves across 28 appearances. He remained a dependable late-inning option for Philadelphia in crucial moments.
The Phillies have already exercised Alvarado’s 2026 club option, which will pay him $9 million. But once he reaches free agency after the season, projections suggest he could land a four-year deal worth around $46.2 million.
In theory, a modest salary increase alone might not force Philadelphia to move on. However, if several teams begin competing for his services, the Phillies may ultimately step aside rather than get involved in a costly bidding war.
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