The Cubs have been extraordinarily energetic on the commerce market over the previous week, however it appears their newest deal might have hit a snag. Bruce Levine of 670 The Rating mentioned on air this morning that Chicago’s talks for Marlins lefty Jesus Luzardo “seem like lifeless” after having some critical momentum earlier within the week (audio hyperlink, Luzardo discuss across the 2:13:45 mark). It’s not solely clear whether or not the events will search to rekindle negotiations, however Levine means that medical opinions on one facet or the opposite might have thrown a wrench into talks.
The pure inclination for man can be to presume that Luzardo’s medical information proved to be the hitch, however there’s no agency indication that’s the case. It’s each bit as potential that the Marlins took a take a look at medical information on one of many prospects who was a focus within the proposed return and balked at what they noticed.
Luzardo, 27, has repeatedly demonstrated front-of-the-rotation potential however hasn’t been in a position to constantly ship outcomes at that degree — usually on account of accidents. He posted a 3.48 ERA with a wonderful 28.7% strikeout charge towards a pointy 7.9% stroll charge in 279 innings from 2022-23 however missed time alongside the way in which on account of a forearm pressure. Luzardo, who had Tommy John surgical procedure as a prospect, additionally hung out on the injured listing early in 2024 on account of elbow tightness. He returned and pitched properly — 3.98 ERA over his subsequent seven begins — solely to land again on the injured listing in mid-June with a lumbar stress response that wound up ending his season.
Luzardo has solely reached 100 large league innings twice in his profession and has solely began greater than 18 video games within the majors as soon as. Together with minor league work, he topped 100 innings annually from 2021-23, however these are his solely skilled seasons doing so. His 178 2/3 innings from 2023 are far and away a career-high mark.
Sturdiness issues however, prime-aged lefties who common round 96 mph on their heater whereas boasting plus swinging-strike and strikeout charges alike are uncommon. Add Luzardo’s no less than common command into the combination, and the potential for him to emerge as a bona fide star is evident. He was a top-100 draft choose and one of many high pitching prospects in baseball previous to his debut, in spite of everything. Nevertheless, retaining him wholesome has been a tough process for the A’s and Marlins alike.
Even when it was Luzardo’s medicals that held up a possible deal — and once more, we decidedly do not know that to be the case — that doesn’t get rid of the potential for a commerce sending him elsewhere. We’ve seen loads of previous cases the place one group backs out of a deal primarily based on a participant’s medicals whereas one other membership finds them acceptable. For example, the Yankees reportedly nixed a commerce for Jack Flaherty over the summer season on account of medical issues. The Dodgers had been snug sufficient making a deal and acquired 10 common season begins out of Flaherty, plus one other 5 within the postseason. Completely different groups have completely different thresholds, and the whole lot that’s considered is finished so relative to the valuation of the gamers going the opposite path within the deal.
As for the Cubs and what is perhaps subsequent if the Luzardo talks can’t be revived — that’s an open query. The commerce of Cody Bellinger trimmed $25MM of his $27.5MM wage from the books, giving Chicago loads of flexibility. RosterResource estimates their present payroll to be round $174MM, with simply over $191MM of luxurious obligations. That places the Cubs roughly $50MM shy of the primary luxurious threshold. At the least on paper, that leaves room so as to add nearly any free agent with no need to fret in regards to the luxurious tax, although Levine pushes again strongly on the thought of Chicago making a run at Corbin Burnes.
There’s a transparent want for bullpen assist and a robust probability that the Cubs will soar into the marketplace for some notable late-inning choices. Historical past means that president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer will want to maintain any free agent commitments there to the short-term selection. Hoyer has not given out a multi-year deal to a reliever since taking up baseball operations in Chicago. Kirby Yates, outdated buddy David Robertson and Kenley Jansen are among the many older however still-effective closing choices who could possibly be had on short-term offers. If the Cubs are prepared to interrupt from their previous conduct on the reduction market and pursue larger-scale targets, then names like Tanner Scott, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez presently high the market.
