The Chicago Cubs have had a busy offseason after a disappointing 2024 season. They could look to add a starting pitcher to their already strong rotation.
Just Baseball’s Caleb Moody named the Cubs as a potential suitor for Miami Marlins’ starter Jesús Luzardo in a trade. Luzardo is 27 years old and will not be a free agent until 2027. The Cubs and Marlins have had discussions about a trade for Luzardo, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score.
“From a large-scale perspective, Luzardo would give them the type of arm to create a formidable top three alongside Imanaga and Steele that could set them up well for a postseason series,” wrote Moody. “And from a day-to-day standpoint, if Luzardo can re-capture the swing-and-miss capabilities he held before his injury-plagued 2024 campaign, he can bring the Cubs’ starting staff something they lacked in 2024 when they ranked tied for 25th in the league in K-rate.”
The Cubs already have Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele at the top of their rotation. They signed Matthew Boyd to help the bottom half of the group. However, a healthy Luzado could give them an elite top three. Luzardo had 208 strikeouts and a 3.58 ERA in 2023, his last full season.
Last season he played in just 12 games. He dealt with a lower back injury that limited his availability. Hopefully, a full offseason to recover can get him back to form.
Luzardo is projected to earn a five-year, $71 million deal when he hits free agency. They have already swung one blockbuster deal when they added Kyle Tucker. If the Cubs want to keep him around long-term, they will need to dish out a large contract. However, with Bellinger’s deal off the books, they can afford to make moves for players like Luzardo.
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