Chicago’s Luis Robert Jr.Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images
3. Jesús Luzardo, LHP, Miami Marlins
2024 Stats: 51.2 IP, 4.18 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 8.7 K/9
Contract: $5.5M 2024, arbitration-eligible in 2025 and 2026
There has been speculation about Luzardo as a trade candidate dating back to December, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal stoked those flames in a big way last week in saying that Luzardo is “the single most likely player to be traded.”
Since the beginning of 2022, Luzardo has a 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10.3 K/9. Couple those solid numbers with two years of arbitration eligibility still to come and Miami should be able to get quite the package of prospects for this lefty. Seattle gave up a ton for 1.5 years of Luis Castillo two summers ago, and his numbers in the three seasons before being dealt (3.61 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 10.2 K/9) sure are comparable to what Luzardo has been up to lately.
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Toronto Blue Jays
2024 Stats: .291/.388/.404, 5 HR, 26 RBI, 2 SB
Contract: $19.9M 2024, arbitration-eligible in 2025
Let’s be sure to reiterate that Toronto has said it does not plan on trading away Guerrero or Bo Bichette. But that isn’t going to stop the rumors and speculations from swirling here. If the Blue Jays still have a sub-.500 record in eight weeks, they might be willing to part with the three-time All-Star who they have been unable to ink to a long-term deal.
It took a little more than a month for Guerrero to get into a groove, but he is batting .376 over his last 24 games. We’re still waiting on the home runs to come, though, as he is on pace to finish the year with just 14. Even so, he is undeniably one of the top names that might be on the trade block.
1. Luis Robert Jr., CF, Chicago White Sox
2024 Stats: .214/.241/.500, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 SB
Contract: $12.5M 2024, $15M 2025, $20M club option for 2026 ($2M buyout), $20m club option for 2027 ($2M buyout)
Robert has missed two months with a hip injury, but he should be back in Chicago’s lineup on Tuesday. And when healthy, he has been one of the best in the business, boasting a career slugging percentage (.500) on par with those of José Ramírez (.502) and Austin Riley (.499). He also has plus range in center field and is under team control for another three seasons after this one. If Chicago is actually willing to give him up, he should fetch a king’s ransom.
