The Chicago Cubs are continuing their active offseason, following the major acquisition of Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker, by reportedly pursuing Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Despite initially avoiding the top free-agent pitchers, the Cubs now seem to be turning to the trade market to address their pitching needs.
According to MLB insider Bob Nightengale, the Cubs have expressed interest in Luzardo, alongside efforts to trade Cody Bellinger. This comes after Chicago’s recent signing of veteran catcher Carson Kelly, signaling their intention to strengthen both their roster and pitching staff. While marquee signings like Max Fried’s $218 million contract with the New York Yankees and Blake Snell’s deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the offseason headlines, the Cubs took a more reserved approach, focusing instead on under-the-radar moves such as signing Matthew Boyd and trading for Eli Morgan.
Luzardo, at just 27 years old, presents an intriguing option for the Cubs. He remains under team control for two more seasons and is projected to earn around $6 million in arbitration for the upcoming year. Although his 2024 campaign was marred by a lumbar stress reaction that limited him to just 12 starts, Luzardo’s 5.00 ERA and career-low strikeout rate were uncharacteristic for the promising southpaw. Despite these struggles, his potential is evident when looking at his previous season. In 2023, Luzardo showcased his capabilities with a 3.58 ERA, 208 strikeouts, and a career-high 178.2 innings pitched, marking him as a reliable and talented rotation arm.
Luzardo’s name surfaced in trade discussions during the 2023 trade deadline, but his high value deterred teams from making a deal at the time. Now, coming off a challenging and injury-plagued season, his trade price may have lowered, making him a more accessible target for teams like the Cubs. While acquiring Luzardo carries some risk due to his recent injury history and inconsistent 2024 performance, the potential reward of adding a high-upside starter with affordable control for two years makes him a compelling option for Chicago.
Cubs President Jed Hoyer appears intent on building a competitive roster through strategic trades rather than engaging in bidding wars for the top free agents. Luzardo’s acquisition would bolster Chicago’s rotation, potentially filling a critical need as they aim to solidify themselves as contenders in the National League.
As the offseason progresses, it’s worth watching the Cubs’ activity on the trade market. With Hoyer’s evident focus on enhancing the rotation, Luzardo could be the next major addition in the Cubs’ quest to compete at a high level in 2025.
