3 Teams who the Miami Marlins SHOULD trade Jesus Luzardo to?

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The Miami Marlins are trying to improve this off-season and the lineup especially is the priority. With The Fish's rotation highly rated, the rumors have been hard on the team trading a starting pitcher. A particular player has been a part of some blockbuster trade rumors. That player is Jesús Luzardo and with three years of team control, he's immensely valuable to teams. I don't want him traded, but are there trades that I would agree with?

3 trade scenarios involving Jesús Luzardo that might actually make sense for the Miami Marlins to do.

3. CINCINNATI REDS

The Cincinnati Reds need top of the rotation starting pitching and have an influx of infielders. This is a perfect combination of needs that can lead to a trade between the two teams. Who should the Miami Marlins pursue? It would be a trade package, but here are some options: SS Matt McLain would fill a position of need for The Fish. McLain batted .290/.357/.507, with 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 89 games and 365 AB in 2023. He won't repeat his .385 BABIP, but he's a good player under control through the 2029 season.

1B/3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand is another interesting player. He batted .270/.328/.477, with 13 home runs and 37 RBI in 63 games and 222 AB in 2023. While The Fish don't necessarily need help at those positions, let's not forget about the DH spot. While less likely, shooting for SS Elly De La Cruz should be done as well. He batted .235/.300/.410, with 13 home runs and 44 RBI, in 98 games and 388 AB in 2023.

NEXT: OBVIOUS TRADE PARTNERS

2. BALTIMORE ORIOLES

The Baltimore Orioles have often been mentioned as trade partners for the Miami Marlins. It makes sense due to their deep need for top of the rotation starting pitching, and their amount of young talented infielders. A trade between the two teams seems like a natural fit.

Who should The Fish target in a trade with Baltimore? It's important to shoot high and go for top prospect SS Jackson Holliday. Holliday is the top prospect in the game with a career .320/.449/.490 batting line. It's unlikely that Baltimore will trade Holliday, but if The Fish are parting with Luzardo, the return has to be high enough to warrant the trade.

SS/2B Jordan Westburg could be an interesting part of a package (not including Holliday sadly). Westburg batted .260/.311/.404 with 3 home runs and 23 RBI, in 68 games and 208 AB in 2023. He plays a position of need, which makes him quite attractive for The Fish. It would make sense for some prospects to be attached to him in a hypothetical trade package.

Baltimore seem like ideal trade partners for the Miami Marlins, but it has to be a real return and not just some unproven prospects who aren't even elite. The right return from Baltimore may be worth parting with Jesus Luzardo.

NEXT: THE BEST TRADE PARTNERS?

1. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

St. Louis needs top of the rotation starting pitching. That should be their biggest priority, even as they filled out their rotation this season with mostly mid to bottom of the rotation starters. Jesus Luzardo would immediately be a top two starting pitcher on the team, so they might be willing to trade from their hitting logjam to acquire him.

Who could the Miami Marlins shot for from St. Louis? My eyes are on 2B/3B Nolan Gorman. Gorman batted .236/.328/.478, with 27 home runs and 76 RBI in 119 games and 406 AB. He was worth 2.4 WAR for that performance. Once again, it's clear that Gorman doesn't play a position of need, but he can also DH and the bat can play in general.

A potential 30 home run bat would be exactly what the Miami Marlins need, especially to replace outgoing DH Jorge Soler. Another good thing about Gorman is his team control. He won't be able to hit free agency until after the 2028 season.

So...should the Miami Marlins actually trade Jesus Luzardo? I would prefer that he stays as the rotation isn't as deep as it was last season. That said, based on his diminishing team control, injury history and perhaps lack of true ace upside, it may be smart to look into trading him. The trade return however has to be very high.

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