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MLB Rumors: Cubs Pursuing Trade for Marlins' Jesús Luzardo After Kyle Tucker Deal

Zach BacharContributor IDecember 14, 2024

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Jesús Luzardo #44 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch in the bottom of the first inning during the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 11, 2024 in the Queens Borough of New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)
Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images

The Chicago Cubs and Miami Marlins are discussing a trade centered around Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo, according to Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network.

For the Cubs, Outfield prospect Owen Cassie or infielder James Triantos will "likely" be included in the exchange as Miami wants a "young controllable bat" in return for Luzardo (via Levine).

Chicago has already been active on the trade market, acquiring Kyle Tucker in a deal with the Houston Astros on Friday.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale previously reported that the Cubs were showing interest in Luzardo on Friday.

The 27-year-old has shown that he can be an effective rotation contributor when healthy, but he's coming off an injury-riddled 2024 campaign. Luzardo made 12 appearances, with his last occurring on June 14 before dealing with a lumbar stress reaction that ended his regular season.

He struggled in his limited playing time, posting a 5.00 ERA and 1.245 WHIP. Luzardo also recorded 58 strikeouts compared to 22 walks in 66.2 innings of work.

He's only exceeded 100 innings pitched in 2022 and 2023, but the results from both seasons are promising. In those two years combined, he compiled a 3.48 ERA and averaged 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings.

Miami Marlins @Marlins

3/15/23 <br>Our 2024 Opening Day Starter, Jesús, dominated for Venezuela in the <a href="https://twitter.com/WBCBaseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WBCBaseball</a> at his home, <a href="https://twitter.com/loanDepotpark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@loanDepotpark</a>. 🇻🇪🔥 <a href="https://t.co/TlQtFGUw27">pic.twitter.com/TlQtFGUw27</a>

Given Luzardo's prior success and the two remaining years of team control on his contract, his name has surfaced in trade buzz throughout the offseason. MLB Network's Jon Morosi revealed that the lefty was drawing interest at the winter meetings on Monday

The Cubs haven't been shy about their desire to add rotation depth behind Shota Imanaga and Jameson Taillon, signing Matthew Boyd to a two-year deal on Dec. 7. Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic also reported that Chicago was eyeing free-agent starter Jack Flaherty.

With the Cubs and Marlins reportedly discussing a deal centered around Luzardo, he could experience a change of scenery in the near future.