Cubs just got a brutal reminder of the offseason trade they passed on

As the Chicago Cubs look for a starting pitcher they can place at the top of their starting rotation ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, they were reminded this past week of an offseason move they passed up on. Jesús Luzardo started against the Cubs in their 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, and in doing so, reminded the Cubs of what they currently lack.

In 6 innings of work against the Cubs, Luzardo fanned 10 batters while only giving up 1 run. On the season, in 14 starts, Luzardo has an ERA of 4.23, but the number doesn't tell the full story. Luzardo's previous two starts before pitching against the Cubs saw him give up 20 earned runs in just under 6 innings of total work. The Phillies believed Luzardo may have been tipping his pitches, as prior to those starts, he was an early candidate for the National League Cy Young Award.

The trade for Luzardo looks like a stroke of genius for the Phillies' front office, and ESPN had it as one of the best under-the-radar trades of the season. A painful reminder of just how close the Cubs were to acquiring Luzardo this past winter.

Cubs likely want a do-over on their Jesús Luzardo trade decision

There was a point last winter where Luzardo seemed destined to be penciled into the Cubs' rotation for the 2025 season. The Cubs and Miami Marlins were approaching the finish line on a deal that would have sent Luzardo to Chicago, but Jed Hoyer's front office ultimately shied away from the deal due to a medical issue.

Now, with three starters currently on the IL, the Cubs are likely wishing they had Luzardo in their rotation. Though the Cubs' concerns over Luzardo's injury history weren't entirely invalid. Luzardo has always been a promising starting pitcher with a high ceiling, but back injuries with the Marlins led to him only making 12 starts last season. Given the prospects that would have been involved in the deal, rumored to be Owen Caissie and/or James Triantos, the Cubs likely wanted no hesitation about Luzardo's medicals if they were going to move forward with the trade. As it stands now, Caissie and Triantos likely will be the two prospects dangled in trade talks by the Cubs ahead of the deadline.