The Baltimore Orioles are trading for Jesus Luzardo

The Baltimore Orioles fall just behind the American League East lead in the New York Yankees on Tuesday, but remain firmly within the playoffs. Although the division will remain largely undecided until the final days of the season, Baltimore will play postseason baseball. To be successful in October, teams must have at least two or three reliable top-tier starting pitchers. The Orioles currently do not have that third arm.

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It’s no secret that the young Orioles can make pure mash. Adley Rustchman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and others can score on any other baseball team. Baltimore also went out this winter and acquired Corbin Burnes to lead their rotation, and it has paid off. The new Oriole ace has a 2.35 ERA and 94 strikeouts across 16 starts and 99.2 innings so far this season. Burnes is followed in the rotation by 24-year-old Grayson Rodriguez. While he has had his ups and downs, the right-hander has shown flashes of the top rotation piece he is expected to be.

Outside of Burnes and Rodriguez, however, the Orioles lack a legitimate, established third starting pitcher. Albert Suarez is currently the closest Baltimore has as a third starter. While he’s been very solid with a 2.70 ERA over 53.1 innings, he’s playing in his first MLB season since 2017. Anything Suarez does from here should be considered a bonus, as he shouldn’t be expected to continue this type of success. Cole Irvin is another candidate for Baltimore’s third starter. Irvin has a 3.45 ERA over 73.0 innings in 2024. However, Irvin is another player who hasn’t had any long-term success at the major league level. Baltimore also has Kyle Bradish and Dean Kremer, but Bradish just underwent a second Tommy John surgery and Kremer suffered a setback during his rehab start last week. Kremer could return sooner rather than later, but has a 4.32 ERA in 50.0 innings in 2024.

Because these weapons are mediocre, unreliable or unproven, the Orioles are one of the most likely starting pitcher buyers in the league. What also makes Baltimore an attractive option to land a top-tier starting pitcher or two is the organization’s large and talented prospect pool. Of those prospects, the top seven are all position players: something the Marlins desperately need. The frontliner of a potential deal would likely be catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, while outfielders Connor Norby and Dylan Beavers could also be included in a potential deal.

As for Jesus Luzardo, he was just placed on the injured list for the second time this season and will miss four to six weeks with a back injury. While injuries have been a concern in the 26-year-old’s career thus far, Luzardo remains a young, controllable, left-handed starting pitcher who has shown he can be a top player in a good rotation. Luzardo had a 3.63 ERA over 178.2 innings last season and a 3.31 ERA over 100.1 innings in 2023. Although limited, the southpaw also has postseason pitching experience.

Jesus Luzardo would provide the Orioles with a legitimate starter to bolster their rotation entering the playoffs. The young southpaw would also be somewhat fresh when October rolls around due to his two injured stints already in 2024. A healthy and performing Luzardo would push the Orioles over the edge and emerge as a potential World Series favorite. Mike Elias will show his magic again at the deadline.