Young Ace Could Be Dealt; Cardinals Would Be Great Blockbuster Trade Partner

St. Louis could use another marquee starter to help bolster the rotation

The St. Louis Cardinals still could use one more top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher and it sounds like one could end up being traded in the not-so-distant future.

Although the 2024 campaign just kicked off, there already has been trade speculation starting to build up. The Miami Marlins have gotten off to a disastrous start to the season and rumors already are starting to swirl that the club could end up trading young ace Jesús Luzardo, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Dennis Lin.

"They are 0-7, with four starting pitchers on the injured list," Rosenthal and Lin said. "No, it is not too early to envision the Miami Marlins as a trade-deadline seller, not when they already have moved one veteran player and entertained offers for some of their biggest names.

"The veteran the Marlins traded, infielder Jon Berti, 34, was only a part-time contributor. Second baseman Luis Arráez, 27, and left-hander Jesús Luzardo, 26, are more valuable commodities. The Marlins resisted trading both before Opening Day. But if their play does not improve, first-year general manager Peter Bendix almost certainly will be more inclined to dismantle his roster."

If the Marlins actually do end up deciding to move Luzardo, the Cardinals should do everything possible to get a deal done. The rotation still is the club's biggest question mark and landing someone like Luzardo only could help.

He is just 26 years old and is under team control for the next two seasons. St. Louis likely won't hand out another large contract, but Luzardo's deal is affordable.

If St. Louis can stay in contention for a postseason spot, a blockbuster trade for Luzardo at least should be considered.

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