Report: Cubs almost traded for Jesus Luzardo in offseason

Report: Cubs almost traded for Jesus Luzardo in offseason

Ahead of their three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies to close a nine-game homestead, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal dropped an interesting offseason nugget: The Cubs nearly acquired new Phillies southpaw Jesus Luzardo.

Though Rosenthal mentioned that Chicago “backed out due to his medical records,” related to his back and elbow; he missed most of the 2024 season due to a stress reaction in his back, making just 12 starts. Luzardo was acquired by the Phillies two days before Christmas in exchange for two prospects.

The Cubs, who have been the best offense in MLB through the first month, will face the southpaw on Saturday. In five starts, the 27-year-old’s sports a 2.08 ERA and a NL-best 1.77 FIP with 36 strikeouts through 30.1 innings.

Justin Steele to undergo season-ending elbow surgery

Luzardo is on a one-year, $6.2 million deal this season with one more season of arbitration left. We don’t know what the package would’ve been for him, but he would’ve been nice insurance to Chicago’s rotation, which is currently down both Javier Assad and Justin Steele.

Back injuries are tricky; elbow injuries for pitchers aren’t as tricky because it’s only a matter of time before they do nowadays, but I understand the concern with how he’d bounce back. Every organization has its own set of standards when it comes to medicals.

Rosenthal noted that Colin Rea, who signed a one-year, $5 million deal, was Chicago’s fall-back option upon backing away from the Luzardo trade. He’s been very good thus far, albeit through three starts, with a checkered track record as a starter in his previous two seasons with Milwaukee.

The Cubs will need multiple bodies to surpass expectations and will likely be a team that hunts for a starter or two by the deadline. What are your reactions to this fascinating news? Let us know in the comments!

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