Marlins Rumors: Yankees Interested In Team's Elite Starting Pitcher

The New York Yankees are reportedly showing significant interest in trading for Miami Marlins' pitcher Jesús Luzardo as they look to bolster their starting pitching lineup.

This interest comes amid efforts to strengthen their chances for a strong postseason performance.

Luzardo, who is only 26 years old, has emerged as a valuable player.

Rumor: Yankees interested in Jesus Luzardo https://t.co/7Ch2jEJfUG

— NYY Recaps (@NYYRecapsDerek) January 3, 2024

In the 2023 season, he showcased impressive skills, recording a 3.58 ERA with 208 strikeout across 32 starts and 178.2 innings.

The year prior to that, he put up an equally impressive 3.32 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts across 100.1 innings and 18 starts.

His current contract situation makes him even more appealing: he's controlled through the 2026 season, with a projected salary of around $6 million, making him a cost-effective option for teams looking for quality pitching without a hefty price tag.

However, acquiring Luzardo might not be straightforward.

The Marlins, under the leadership of their new president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, are open to listening to offers for most of their players.

Yet, given Luzardo's performance and contractual situation, a deal involving him is considered highly unlikely.

The Yankees' farm system, analyzed by Baseball Prospectus, includes top prospects like Spencer Jones, Jasson Domínguez, and Chase Hampton, which could potentially be part of a trade package.

“The Yankees also have talked to the Marlins, who are taking inquiries on several starters — including Jesus Luzardo, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Trevor Rogers. However, there’s no evidence of any real traction there yet, either.” https://t.co/LI1Vcnxiza

— Darius Glover (@GloverDarius) January 7, 2024

The Yankees' need for pitching reinforcements is driven by the challenges they face in their rotation and bullpen.

Despite acquiring an All-Star outfielder and adding some relievers, their starting rotation, consisting of names like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Nestor Cortes, and Clarke Schmidt, has uncertainties regarding its effectiveness.

The urgency for strengthening their pitching staff was highlighted by their unsuccessful attempt to secure Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a $300 million offer. Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports