More trade options for the Cubs |
To say this has been a disappointing off-season so far for the Cubs would be an understatement, as things remain quiet on the North Side. Whether by strategy or not remains to be seen, but something has to be done quickly before this offseason goes to a complete waste.
Ideally, you would love this team to hit the free-agent market and start operating like the Big-Market team they are. However, if Jed Hoyer has taught us anything, it would be that he doesn't overpay or overvalue free agents, which is why it takes him a bit to start making some of the signings he tends to make. Taking an approach like this doesn't always work out in his favor, and when that happens, the fans grow frustrated with him. However, when it does work, and it is too early to say if it will or won't work this season, fans would call him a genius for taking the approach he did to set the team up for success. While the free agent market still seems like the place to go this offseason, you have to consider the trade market as an option to address some of this team's needs. If that is the case, the most likely option would be to acquire starting pitching, as the Cubs need more options in their starting five. From the likes of Shota Imanaga, Jordan Montgomery, and Shane Bieber, the options are plentiful for the Cubs, but that is just the start of it as a pair of left-handed aces could be options for the Cubs on what the Cubs have and what they can offer in return for a package. Both are young and have multiple years of control remaining, which is what you are looking for when trading for a pitcher.
The one guy that makes the most sense of the two we will discuss is Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who is quickly establishing himself as the ace of the Marlins. The 26-year-old Luzardo began his career with the A's before getting traded to the Marlins. After failing to reach 19 starts in his first five seasons, Luzardo stepped up huge in 2023, making a career-high 32 starts and showing how good he can be. He followed up a 4-7 showing and a 3.32 ERA with a double-digit win season this past season as he went 10-10 and posted a 3.58 ERA. That improves his career mark to 23-28 with a 4.18 ERA. From a stuff side, Luzardo has it, as he can touch 97 MPH with his fastball and pairs that with a lethal backfoot slider that can dominate both lefties and righties. The Cubs know firsthand how good Luzardo can be as he has made four starts against them the past two seasons and has gone 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA. Not an ace on most staffs, Luzardo would be an excellent middle-of the-rotation addition and would give the Cubs three lefty starters to build around.Jesus Luzardo
Framber Valdez
One of the most surprising names to hear the Cubs have any connection with is 30-year-old Houston Astros lefty Framber Valdez. Coming off what he might consider a down season, Valdez still posted a 12-11 season with a solid 3.45 ERA. That brings his career mark to 53-54, but with a 3.40 ERA, you know what you will get from one start to the next.
Much older than Luzardo, both came into the league at roughly the same time, but Valdez has had the better career. Having his supporting cast in Houston certainly helps with that, but the fact that he continues to evolve and improve as a pitcher is another reason.
Not the most overpowering pitcher, 40 of his 53 wins have come in the past three seasons, including a 17-6 season in 2022 as part of the Houston Astros World Series run, where he posted a career-low 2.82 ERA. He has had issues with his command at times, but with 57 walks and 200 punchouts in 2023, the command issues are better than they seem, as this was his first 200-strikeout season.
Considering the amount of success he has had with Houston, especially in the past three seasons, some wonder why he would even be considered a trade candidate. Well, for starters, you have to look at his age and the situation of his contract, as he will hit free agency very soon in an effort to sign a lucrative deal.
Second, the Astros have guys like Hunter Brown and JP France, among others, waiting in the wings, so they don't want a guy like Valdez blocking the path for a potential young arm. As mentioned, neither of these guys is actively being shopped, but the Cubs must have discussed the packages, as they are listed as threats for both arms.
Trading for either of these guys will take work, as both teams will want a ton in return. However, it is Christopher Morel that could be the critical piece. Regarding the Marlins, they need a third baseman, and Morel for Luzardo, among others, is a fair trade as it nets both teams with a position of need player.
The Astros are a different story; they will want some big names in return. Morel could still be an option for them with Alex Bregman set to hit free agency following the 2024 season, but they would ask for a bevy of prospects also, which is something Jed Hoyer doesn't like to part with.
