Marlins Southpaw Makes For Exciting Trade Target For The Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians need to add two or three quality arms to their rotation during the off-season.

It feels like we have said that more than enough times, but it’s important to keep that in mind especially with the Winter Meetings right around the corner.

There are many free agents the Guardians could potentially afford that would dramatically improve the outlook of the staff: Walker Buehler, Shane Bieber, Alex Cobb, and many more.

The trade market has traditionally worked out just fine for Cleveland and, once again, appears as a potential solution.

Guardians of the Land identified Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins as one of the best fits for Cleveland.

“Jesús Luzardo had a top-10 spin rate on his fastball, top-5 on his cutter, and top-25 on his changeup in 2023. His 2024 campaign was mired with injuries, but if his medicals look OK, he probably has the highest ceiling of any realistic SP target aside from Bieber/Buehler,” he posted on X.

Jesús Luzardo had a top-10 spin rate on his fastball, top-5 on his cutter, and top-25 on his changeup in 2023. His 2024 campaign was mired with injuries, but if his medicals look OK, he probably has the highest ceiling of any realistic SP target aside from Bieber/Buehler. pic.twitter.com/Mgy0S8ogYK

— Guardians of The Land (@OurCLEGuardians) December 4, 2024

Luzardo was limited to 12 starts last season, due to a left flexor muscle strain (an elbow issue) and a lumbar stress reaction.

The results were poor, as he put up a 5.00 ERA, but it’s easy to see why.

A healthy Luzardo is capable to post a 3.58 ERA and 208 strikeouts, like he did in 2023.

Those are basically 2024 Garrett Crochet numbers that could be acquired with a slight discount.

Again, only if Luzardo’s medicals check out, he makes sense as a trade acquisition for the Guardians.

The talented lefty has incredible stuff and the Guardians work wonders with their pitcher, so he is destined to succeed in Cleveland if the organization goes for it.