The case for the Miami Marlins to trade Jesus Luzardo

Trade speculation is running wild about the Miami Marlins trading starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo to the Chicago Cubs for prospects, such as Owen Caissie and James Triantos. Naturally, many Marlins fans are worrying about this. How will the team look like without Luzardo? Will it get worse? Is there really a good reason to trade him at this time?

Should the Miami Marlins actually trade starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo?

Jesus Luzardo was terrible for the Miami Marlins after the 2021 Trade Deadline. He pitched to a 6.44 ERA/5.07 FIP, with 9.1 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in 12 games and 57.1 innings pitched. He was much better after that. In the 2022-2023 seasons, Luzardo has emerged as a legit top of the rotation arm. He pitched to a 3.48 ERA/3.40 FIP, with 10.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 50 games and 279.0 innings pitched. That's not ace production, but very good production nevertheless.

If The Fish trade Luzardo, the team still has Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Ryan Weathers, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Max Meyer in the rotation mix. Eury and Sandy are both aces, though there is worry that Sandy could be traded at some point in the season. Weathers is a solid mid-rotation arm with upside for more, Cabrera has always had this upside, and of course Meyer is a wild card in this. Garrett has to stay healthy, but has considerable upside himself.

Jesus Luzardo does have an extensive injury history and is a free agent after the 2026 season. It's important to point out that during his injury-filled 2024 season, he pitched to a 5.00 ERA/4.26 FIP, with 7.8 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 12 games and 66.2 innings pitched. He will likely be better in 2025 if he's healthy, but he still is obviously not an extension candidate. If the Miami Marlins can get top hitting prospects for him, it should be a no-brainer to do the trade with the Chicago Cubs.

I'm all for the Miami Marlins trading Jesus Luzardo. The Fish just need top hitting prospects in return.