BREAKING TRADE: Jesus Luzardo Dealt To NL East Contender

Starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo has been on the trade block for what seems like a couple of years now. The Miami Marlins have finally pulled the trigger, according to baseball insider Robert Murray, sending him to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins, according to a source familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 22, 2024

Luzardo was one of the top pitching prospects in the game when the Oakland A's brought him up to the majors in 2019, and though he's had his ups and downs since then, he established himself with top of the rotation potential during the 2022 and 2023 seasons with the Marlins before an injury-plagued year derailed him in 2024.

In return, the Fish receive one of the Phillies top prospects, Starlyn Caba, a 19-year-old shortstop, and Emaarion Boyd, a 21-year-old who's stolen 83 bases the past two seasons in A-ball.

The Phillies now boost one of the best rotations in the game as they gear up for another playoff run in 2025, as the 27-year-old will join ace Zach Wheeler, Aaron Nola and Ranger Suarez in a very strong rotation.

Jesus Luzardo vs 4 NL playoff teams this past May: 25.2 IP, 1.75 ERA, 23 K, 3 BB, 2.23 FIP! pic.twitter.com/rPjD29lpoi
— Sam Fosberg (@discussbaseball) December 16, 2024

He's already established his bona fides in pitching against tough competition, going on a run vs the LA Dodgers, NY Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and the Phillies themselves during a stretch in May of 2024, which saw him post a 1.75 ERA with a 23:3 strikeout to walk ratio in 25.2 innings.