Chicago Cubs' insider continues to push Jesús Luzardo trade

Following the trade for Kyle Tucker, it seems that the Chicago Cubs have follow-up trades that they are trying to push across the finish line.

It was believed that a Cody Bellinger trade to the New York Yankees was going to happen in the immediate aftermath of the Cubs acquiring Tucker but money continues to be keeping the teams from reaching an agreement.

While the Bellinger trade remains on hold, the Cubs may be making progress in their efforts to acquire a starting pitcher. Bruce Levine originally reported over the weekend that the Cubs and Marlins were talking about a trade that would send Jesús Luzardo to Chicago for one of the team's top position-player prospects. Levine mentioned Owen Caissie and James Triantos among the prospects being discussed, but it would seem unlikely that Caissie would be at the center of trade for a pitcher like Luzardo, who has a high ceiling but hasn't reached that ceiling due to injury concerns.

Before we move on to the latest reporting, one final note on Caissie's name being floated. In a similar way that Seiya Suzuki's name was floated in the trade for Tucker, these are negotiations. It's likely that Caissie's name did surface in the current trade talks with the Marlins but it's more likely that the package will be centered around James Triantos.

Along those lines, Levine doubled down on the Luzardo rumor during his hit on 670 The Score on Monday morning.

Levine was first to report that the Tucker trade was nearing completion, so, the the alarm bells definitely sound when he talks about a deal potentially being close. To Levine's credit, dating back to Friday, he has been suggesting that a Cubs' trade for a starting pitcher is in the works.

The potential of Luzardo would give the Cubs potentially four left-handed starting pitchers in their rotation when you factor in Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Matthew Boyd. Potentially five if Jordan Wicks gets the nod for the fifth spot in the rotation instead of Javier Assad.