One Jesus Luzardo Mock Trade proposal the Marlins should look into
The Marlins need power hitter help and shortstop help
![Aug 22, 2023; San Diego, California, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (44) throws a](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5778,h_3250,x_0,y_86/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/86/01hjnmgrjhgd23c48kxk.jpg)
There is no doubt the MLB starting pitcher market is thinning and there are still many teams without a pitcher they desire to add this offseason. The Marlins have the ability to take advantage of the current market and come out on top, if they are willing to part ways with young starter Jesus Luzardo. The Baltimore Orioles Anthony Santander and Jordan Westburg would be the perfect pair to trade for Jesus Luzardo, and it's a win-win trade.
Marlins Jesus Luzardo trade to the Orioles would be a win-win
The Baltimore Orioles are a team looking to add starting pitching depth and Jesus Luzardo could be a great fit for them if they are willing to deal some talent. Luzardo could be a solid one or two starter with the Orioles if they will part ways with both Anthony Santander and Jordan Westburg and Santander signs an extension as a part of the deal. The Marlins will have to drop Avisail Garcia to make the money work but they could include him in the deal to the Orioles for Jud Fabian.
The Marlins need two players for their current roster situation and that would be filled with this trade, leaving only a starter pitching need after. Jordan Westburg would fill the shortstop need the Marlins have and do so with great future potential. The Mississippi State star shortstop had 228 at bats last season with the Orioles and hit .260 with 3 home runs, 23 RBI, and 17 doubles.
Westburg impressed even more in 2023 in AAA Norfolk in 301 plate appearances hitting 15 doubles, 18 home runs, and driving in 54 while batting .295 with a .939 OPS. He has the ability to become the Marlins longtime solution at shortstop and he already outperformed Joey Wendle in only 228 at-bats last season.
Anthony Santander is in the final season of arbitration and is pegged to be a free agent in 2025 so the Orioles need to deal him. The Orioles would get one of the best young pitchers in the MLB in return as Jesus Luzardo had back to back low three ERA seasons. Santander would fill the power hitter needs and outfield needs the Marlins have at the moment with Jorge Soler’s departure.
If the Marlins can resign Santander for a 3 year extension, it will be worth it. Santander last season hit 41 doubles, 28 home runs, and drove in 95 while hitting .257. All they would need is to find another starting pitcher in the free agent market to fill in Luzardo’s spot. Luzardo will be missed severely as he is pegged to the be the number one starter this season with Sandy Alcantara on the shelf, but the return would be worth it in my opinion.
The Orioles system is wrought with prospects in the top 100 including several outfielders. Colton Cowser for one is ready to go and can fill in for Santander’s absence right away along with Avisail Garcia. Garcia would provide some veteran experience to start the season with Cowser getting comfortable as the regular starter for the majority of the season. Garcia could be not desired and dropped from the trade but the Marlins would want to deal him if possible. This trade would help the Marlins however start to rebuild their minor league system.
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