Orioles May Be Eyeing An Even Bigger Blockbuster Trade Than Previously Thought
The Baltimore Orioles were always predicted to make a large splash this winter. Reports suggested they would and will play at the top of the pitching market. For many, that means pursuing high-profile free agents to round out the roster that won 101 wins last season.
But everyone could have been barking up the wrong tree. Perhaps it was the trade market along that general manager Mike Elias was referring to?
Yes, we all know about the Dyaln Cease rumors and the potential blockbuster trade with the Chicago White Sox. But now there is a distinct possibility for something else, for a pitcher with more control.
According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles could be eyeing Miami Marlins ace Jesus Luzardo.
"The Orioles, with their wealth of position prospects, seem well-positioned to trade for a starting pitcher they could retain for even longer than Cease — say, Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo or Tigers lefty Tarik Skubal, both of whom are under club control for three more seasons," writes Rosenthal.
Cease hits the open market after the 2025 MLB season, therefore two years of control. Luzardo on the other hand has an extra year of control and won't hit free agency until 2027.
Luzardo has had two stellar back-to-back seasons for the Marlins. In his last two years, Luzardo has thrown 279.0 innings and posted a 3.48 ERA. However, his 2023 season was his true breakout year in which he posted a 3.58 ERA with a 1.215 WHIP over 178.2 innings.
Luzardo's performance was one of the largest reasons why Miami was in the postseason conversation all the way until the very end.
Adding an arm like that to the Orioles rotation keeps it youthful while adding plenty of impact innings. Of course, it would come at a large cost, something Rosenthal alludes to.
But Baltimore has plenty of promising prospects to get a deal done for a pitcher like Luzardo.
