Phillies reward Luzardo | Sports Daily Newsletter
And ex-Eagles Nakobe Dean, Reed Blankenship, and Jaelan Phillips move on.
Jesús Luzardo told The Inquirer’s baseball podcast in January that he was “really interested” in discussing a contract extension with the Phillies during spring training.
They did more than just discuss it. The 28-year-old left-hander has agreed to a five-year, $135 million extension, a major league source confirmed on Monday.
The Phillies traded for Luzardo before last season and he showed great promise, posting a 3.92 ERA with career highs in innings (183⅔) and strikeouts (216). Now he will be under contract through the 2031 season. Scott Lauber has the whole story.
Max Scherzer has a unique connection with Luzardo. Scherzer, the Blue Jays starter who is entering his 19th season, has become a mentor for the Phillies lefty through their connection at a Florida training facility. And his constant chirping over the years about Luzardo’s offseason routine has finally sunk in.
— Jim Swan, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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❓Which departing Eagle will the team miss the most? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.
Monday marked the first day of the “legal tampering period” in NFL free agency, and for the Eagles it was mostly about former defensive players moving on.
After four seasons with the Birds, linebacker Nakobe Dean agreed to a three-year deal worth $36 million with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is getting richly rewarded after a half-season with the Eagles. ESPN reported that Phillips agreed to a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers.
Safety Reed Blankenship is headed to the Houston Texans on a three-year, $24.75 million deal.
Now, with three former defensive starters headed for the exit, the Eagles have more decisions looming in just about every corner of the roster, Olivia Reiner writes. Here’s her in-depth look after the first day of NFL free-agent moves.
The Flyers got some reinforcements Monday for their game against the New York Rangers as Travis Konecny and Nick Seeler returned to action. A winger, Konecny had been out since Feb. 28 with an upper-body injury. The defenseman Seeler had been out since March 2 with a lower-body injury.
The return of Konecny and Seeler could not keep the Flyers from a 6-2 loss on home ice against New York.
Without their top four scorers in All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, Paul George, and VJ Edgecombe, the Sixers could not keep up with the Cavaliers in a 115-101 loss in Cleveland. Quentin Grimes led the Sixers with 17 points.
Top-ranked Connecticut proved too much for Villanova to handle in the Big East women’s championship in Uncasville, Conn. Azzi Fudd scored 19 points as the Huskies rolled, 90-51.
Temple’s women will open the American Conference tournament today. Owls guard Kaylah Turner has been named to the all-conference second team.
Sports snapshot
White House brawl: Philly’s Kyle Daukaus will face a former Penn State wrestler in a UFC event on June 14.
Booted out: MLS bans two players, including a former Union midfielder, for life after a gambling probe.
Union’s next test: They’ll host Mexico’s Club América tonight in a Concacaf Champions Cup match.
Gold medalist: Penn State hockey player Tessa Janecke aims to follow up Olympic glory with a run in the NCAA Tournament.
🧠 Trivia time answer
Who is the only Sixers player to win Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies that particular season in scoring, rebounds, and assists?
Answer: C) Michael Carter-Williams won Rookie of the year in 2014 after leading all NBA rookies in points (16.7), assists (6.3), rebounds (6.2), steals (1.86), and minutes (34.5).
What you’re saying about the Eagles
We asked: What is the Eagles’ biggest area of need in free agency? Among your responses:
Biggest area of need in free agency is a change in attitude. — Brad L.
#1 — A kicker that you don’t have to hold your breath on every attempt. #2 — A QB2 that can beat a terrible Washington team when a win is needed. #3 — A new center that can block. — Ronald R.
With both injuries and aging taking their toll on the offensive line, I think the Eagles need to concentrate on rebuilding it both through the college draft and free agency. — Everett S.
Edge rusher, cornerback, tight end and safety. — Skip B.
Edge rusher, especially since Phillips is gone. O-line would follow the edge rusher need, especially because of the health concerns from last season. — Tom G.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Scott Lauber, Alex Coffey, Olivia Reiner, Jeff Neiburg, Jackie Spiegel, Ariel Simpson, Jonathan Tannenwald, Owen Hewitt, Ryan Mack, and Greg Finberg.
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
Make sure you take advantage of this unbelievably great weather. Thanks for reading. Bella will bring you the newsletter on Wednesday. — Jim