Cubs rumors: Jesus Luzardo trade appears off, leaving fans wondering what's next?

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo was beginning to feel like a name you could factor into the Chicago Cubs' 2025 starting rotation.

Throughout the early portions of this week, there was a sense of inevitability with the rumors of the Cubs and Marlins talking about a trade involving Luzardo. The first signs that the momentum toward a trade being agreed upon first appeared on Wednesday morning when Bruce Levine suggested that there could be a medical issue that caused the delay in trade talks.

In a follow up to that report, Levine returned to the 670 The Score airwaves on Wednesday night where he mentioned that Luzardo trade talks have cooled off considerably.

Luzardo was limited to 14 starts last season with the Marlins due to a back injury. Injuries have been a concern when talking about Luzardo, who has only pitched over 100 innings in a season twice since making his Major League debut in 2019. For a trade where the Cubs were going to give up one of their top prospects, all signs pointed to James Triantos, the medicals would have had to checked out for Luzardo.

With a Jesús Luzardo trade off the table, what's next for the Cubs?

With money freed up following the trade of Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees, don't expect the Cubs to suddenly pivot to the free-agent market and sign Corbin Burnes. Burnes seems well down the path toward landing a long-term deal that will exceed $200MM. The Cubs aren't making that type of commitment for a starting pitcher. Especially one in Burnes who does not have a great long-term projection.

If the Cubs use free agency to bolster their starting rotation, chances are it will be with Roki Sasaki. Otherwise, the Cubs may circle back to their previous interest in Walker Buehler.

It may seem more likely that the Cubs continue to live in the trade market. With Luzardo seemingly off the table, the Cubs may circle back to the Seattle Mariners and their interest in Luis Castillo.