It’s evident that the Cubs are aiming for success both in the short term and in the future, given their strong desire to win presently alongside their commitment to developing one of baseball’s premier farm systems. However, the recent setbacks in their starting rotation, with their top two options sidelined by injury early in the season, raise doubts about the feasibility of achieving short-term success.
Left-handed ace Justin Steele, whose performance was crucial for the Cubs to contend for the postseason following his impressive 2023 season, is sidelined until at least May due to a hamstring injury, according to manager Craig Counsell. Meanwhile, the team’s second starter, Jameson Taillon, is currently on the 15-day injured list due to a back injury and won’t be returning for a few more weeks.
Despite these challenges, there might be an opportunity to reconcile the Cubs’ dual objectives by pursuing a trade for Marlins ace left-hander Jesus Luzardo. This move could potentially address their immediate needs while also bolstering their prospects for the future.
Cubs a Potential Fit for Top Trade Chip
According to Bleacher Report, there’s a possibility that the Marlins may seek to acquire prospect depth by trading their 26-year-old ace left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who will become a free agent in two years. While there’s no immediate pressure to move Luzardo, if the Marlins find themselves out of contention, he ranks as the top trade asset in MLB this season.
Among potential destinations, the Cubs have been identified as one of the top fits for Luzardo. Analyst Zachary D. Rymer highlighted Luzardo’s journey to potential stardom, which has been influenced by injuries during his time in Oakland before being traded to Miami. Despite these challenges, Luzardo showcased his potential by striking out more batters than some prominent pitchers in 2023 and finishing the season strongly with a 3.12 ERA over his last 18 outings.
Luzardo’s pitching repertoire is regarded highly compared to other left-handers, and given his career stage, there’s little indication that his performance will decline in the near future. Additionally, with free agency not looming until after 2026, any team acquiring Luzardo would secure a reliable ace for the foreseeable future.
Jesus Luzardo Learning to be an Ace
Luzardo presents a promising candidate to contend for the ace role alongside Steele in the Cubs’ rotation, potentially forming a formidable duo of left-handed starters. Since solidifying his position as a regular starter for the Marlins in 2022, Luzardo has posted a 14-17 record with a 3.52 ERA across 50 starts. Notably, he ranked seventh in the National League with 208 strikeouts in the 2023 season.
However, the Marlins seem to be on the path towards a rebuilding phase, evident from their winless start to the season (0-5), suggesting that Luzardo could become expendable. While Luzardo is currently under contract, reports suggest that he might command a lucrative six-year, $90 million deal, as reported by The Athletic.
Although Luzardo still needs to refine his abilities as a top-of-the-rotation innings eater, he displayed signs of progress last year and during Spring training. Despite a shaky start in the Marlins’ season opener, he eventually settled down, allowing only two hits, two walks, and two runs while striking out eight batters in five innings.
Reflecting on his performance, Luzardo acknowledged grappling with adrenaline, nerves, and emotions early in the game but felt more settled as it progressed, returning to his accustomed level of play.
