The Cubs have been very active in the trade market recently, but it seems their latest deal may have hit a roadblock. Bruce Levine of 670 The Score mentioned on air this morning that Chicago’s discussions for Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo “appear to be dead” after gaining momentum earlier in the week (audio link, Luzardo talk around the 2:13:45 mark). It’s uncertain if the parties will resume negotiations, but Levine suggests that medical evaluations could have caused issues.
While the assumption may be that Luzardo’s medical records caused the problem, there is no definitive indication of that being the case. It’s equally possible that the Marlins had concerns about the medical records of one of the prospects involved in the potential return.
Luzardo, 27, has shown top-of-the-rotation potential but has struggled to stay healthy, leading to inconsistent results. Despite posting a 3.48 ERA with a strong strikeout rate and walk rate from 2022-23, injuries have hampered his performance. His durability has been a concern, with multiple stints on the injured list, including Tommy John surgery as a prospect.
Despite his injury history, Luzardo’s potential as a left-handed pitcher with high velocity and solid command is evident. He was a highly regarded prospect before his debut and has shown flashes of brilliance when healthy. However, staying on the field has been a challenge for him.
Even if Luzardo’s medicals were the reason for the stalled deal, it doesn’t mean a trade involving him is off the table. Teams have differing thresholds for medical concerns, as seen in past deals like Jack Flaherty’s trade to the Dodgers. The Cubs still have flexibility after shedding salary with Cody Bellinger’s trade, leaving room for potential moves in the market.
Looking ahead, the Cubs may need to address their bullpen needs and could target short-term relief options. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has favored short-term deals for relievers in the past and may continue that approach. Several experienced closers are available on short-term contracts, while larger-scale targets like Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman, and Carlos Estevez are also possibilities.
