MLB Trade Rumors: 2 Teams Linked to Jesus Luzardo

With Jesus Luzardo being one of the most frequently heard names on the trade market this season, there have been a number of teams that have been linked to the young starting pitcher.

This weekend we get two new teams to add to the mix courtesy of MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Luzardo is a coveted commodity as he has two years of team control remaining. After a brutal start to the season that was likely due to an injury issue, he's come back throwing 98 mph and has had two very good starts, re-establishing his value as a top-line trade candidate.

Baltimore Orioles

According to Heyman, the Orioles actually had "extensive talks" during the winter with the Marlins. But after they acquired former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers, those Luzardo talks were likely put on hold.

There's no reason to suggest they won't pick up again, as the O's are clearly showing themselves to be one of the top teams in the American League following up last year's breakout performance.

San Diego Padres

As noted by Heyman, the Padres "shouldn’t be counted out. They never should be." The team is hovering around .500, but still has a ton of talent, and could claw their way back into the Wild Card picture (1st place in the NL West is pretty much out of reach, courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers' 30-17 start).

And while Yu Darvish and Dylan Cease have been tremendous at the top of their rotation, Joe Musgrove was off to a dreadful start and has been out for a few weeks, while the back end of the rotation, Michael King and Matt Waldron, have been very inconsistent. A high-end arm like Luzardo could turn this into a very strong starting staff.