Jesús Luzardo trade talks between Cubs, Marlins have stopped

[Ely Sussman]

The same Chicago insider who previously reported that the Cubs were "working hard" to acquire Luzardo provided an update on Wednesday night.

The Miami Marlins have been willing to consider trade offers for left-hander Jesús Luzardo ever since Peter Bendix took over their front office, but the latest negotiations involving him recently hit a snag, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. During a radio interview on Wednesday night, Levine said he didn't know what went awry. His best guess is an issue with player physicals may have prevented the Chicago Cubs from continuing to work toward a deal.

The Marlins and Cubs were far enough along in talks last weekend to exchange specific prospect names, per Levine. "Marlins want young controllable bat back," he tweeted on Saturday, adding that either outfielder Owen Caissie or second baseman James Triantos would likely be sent to Miami if they could finalize the trade.

Caissie is the fourth-ranked Cubs prospect on Baseball America's list and widely regarded as a Top 100 prospect across Major League Baseball. He slashed .278/.375/.472 at Triple-A last season (121 wRC+) with 19 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 127 games. The No. 7 Cubs prospect, Triantos was equally productive offensively at Double-A/Triple-A, though more so because of his contact ability and speed (.300/.346/.427, 123 wRC+, 7 HR, 47 SB in 115 G). Both players are entering their age-22 season.

It would be unsurprising if the lumbar stress reaction that sidelined Luzardo for the majority of 2024 complicated the negotiations. The 27-year-old is expected to be full ready for spring training, but he has not pitched in a game since June 16 when his fastball velocity plummeted to 3 mph below his season average. That's why it always seemed more logical for the Marlins to hold onto him entering 2025, at least long enough to make several Grapefruit League appearances and demonstrate he has regained the quality of stuff he previously had.

As Sean McCormack wrote about on Tuesday, the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins are among the teams that could potentially pursue Luzardo if the Cubs turn their attention to other pitchers.

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[Slacker Mills]

Talks never made sense in the first place. Marlins can't get full value until Luzardo gets on the mound.

[Ely Sussman]

45 minutes ago, Slacker Mills said:

Talks never made sense in the first place. Marlins can't get full value until Luzardo gets on the mound.

Agreed. Only reason I found it to be believable is because Levine went out on a limb to report specific prospect names. Maybe that was just a ploy by Cubs folks to gauge the public reaction to Caissie and Triantos rumors.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

If Luzardo is kept when the season starts, I have a good feeling about it. Frankly, I am excited by the potential starting staff, even before Perez's return. It reminds me of the Expos in the late 1980s and early 1990s. They had a strong group of starters that kept the Expos in every game, combined with excellent defense. As the offensive matured and the team grew together organically under Felipe Alou, the 1993 season was amazing. Of course, the fantastic 1994 team was 74-40 when the strike hit. 

Of course, I realize the Marlins are not close to the offensive powerhouse yet, but the resurgent farm system speaks to a fine group maturing as a team together, creating the window for years. The young, strong starting pitching is the Marlins' foundation and its edge during this time of thin starter ranks in MLB. Accordingly, things are not as dark as many believe, 

[1993 fan from start]

I Hope marlins keep Luzardo till trade deadline or later. till trade is made.  Till we see Sandy and Perez in full swing of things.    I do think marlins can  get full value right now,.   With 8 to 9 teams willing to trade for him.   price is going to be higher than what yanks where willing to pay in 2024.

Do feel  excited by the potential starting staff also.  and minor league call ups coming.

[rurrusuno]

It's a smarter move to trade him at the deadline. If he's healthy and gets back into form, it'll payoff when his trade value goes up. There should be no rush really to get rid of him unless it's the deal of a lifetime, which I doubt would pop up anytime soon.