Star left-handed pitcher Sánchez signs a six-year extension with the Phillies, new contract extends to 2032.

Cristopher Sánchez is already one of baseball's elite pitchers, and the Phillies believe he will remain at that level for many years to come. To match his value, they have offered a contract accordingly.

The Phillies announced today that they have signed Sánchez to a new six-year contract with guaranteed money totaling $107 million, extending through 2032. It includes a team option for 2033 valued at $32.5 million, which sources say could increase to up to $44.5 million. Essentially, the Phillies revised the previously team-friendly four-year, $22.5 million extension, preserving the original salary structure through 2030 and adding $30 million in salary for 2031 and 2032.

The Phillies could have kept the original contract if they wished, but they chose to reward Sánchez.

“When looking ahead, we discussed a lot this winter,” said Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski. “We originally thought the team options in the fourth and fifth years of the old contract were certain to be exercised—we couldn’t imagine not exercising them—so we started talking about the future further out. We felt that for a player of Cristopher’s caliber… it was best to lock it in now while he’s still in his prime, which makes sense for us.”

Sánchez finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting last season, behind only Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes. He made 32 starts, recording 13 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 2.50. According to Baseball Reference, Sánchez led the league with a WAR of 8.0. Over the past three seasons, Sánchez has accumulated 13.5 WAR, tied with Skenes for third in the league, behind Zack Wheeler (15.3) and Tarik Skubal (14.8).

Sánchez will start for the Phillies in Friday’s home opener at Citizens Bank Park.

“I am incredibly proud to be standing here, and this contract shows the team’s trust in me,” Sánchez said via translator. “They recognize my hard work and my performance over the past few years—this is a huge commitment. I’m very grateful for everything the organization has done for me.”

Sánchez’s journey is remarkable. In 2013, at age 16, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as an amateur free agent from the Dominican Republic. In November 2019, he was traded to the Phillies for rookie Curtis Mead because the Rays felt he didn’t have a spot on their 40-man roster. He experienced ups and downs over the following years; in 2022 with the Phillies, he appeared in 15 games (3 starts) with an ERA of 5.63. He once lost his velocity and struggled to command his pitches.

But Sánchez took off starting in 2023, posting a 3.44 ERA over 19 appearances (18 starts). Since then, he has solidified his place in the starting rotation, becoming a formidable force.

“This is truly amazing,” Sánchez said. “I never imagined something like this. My discipline and talent have finally come through.”

Earlier this spring training, Sánchez stated he would strive to maintain this high level. That is precisely why the Phillies want to keep him in the red-striped uniform until his age-35 season.

“He is very talented,” Dombrowski said. “Another part is how hard he trains. He works extremely hard. He studies, constantly improves, and has refined his changeup. Pitching coach Caleb Cotham and the coaching staff have helped him a lot in that regard. All these are contributing factors.”

“But I think the primary factors are his hard work and his own ability. And you also realize that when he has this ability and signs a contract, he won’t think ‘this is enough.’ You know he wants to be the best, and he will work toward that goal.”

This is the second multi-year extension the Phillies have signed with a starting pitcher this spring training. Earlier this month, they reached a five-year, $135 million deal with left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo, also effective starting next season.

The Phillies have committed a total of $540 million in multi-year contracts to four starting pitchers beyond this season: Wheeler (three years, $126 million), Aaron Nola (seven years, $172 million), Luzardo, and Sánchez.

Taijuan Walker is entering the final year of his four-year, $72 million contract. The Phillies’ top pitching prospect, Andrew Painter, will make his MLB debut on March 31, and the team controls him at least through 2031. These teammates all attended Sánchez’s contract announcement today.

“Hard work and discipline, and everything I’ve learned from the people who have helped me within this organization,” Sánchez said. “I’ve always had full support from my teammates, and I look forward to returning to the World Series and hopefully winning it this time.”