Cubs Eye $73 Million Ace After Missing Out on Jesús Luzardo
The Chicago Cubs are actively pursuing a starting pitcher this offseason. Initially, one of their top targets was Miami Marlins left-hander Jesús Luzardo. However, the Philadelphia Phillies swooped in on Sunday, trading several top prospects to acquire Luzardo, leaving the Cubs searching for alternatives.
FanSided’s Mark Powell suggested that the Cubs could target Minnesota Twins ace Pablo López in a potential blockbuster trade. According to Powell, the Cubs might offer No. 6 prospect Kevin Alcántara and No. 9 prospect Jaxon Wiggins to the Twins for López, who is under contract for $73 million.
“If Chicago wanted to pivot in a different direction without forfeiting their entire farm system, former Marlins pitcher and current Twins ace Pablo López would be an ideal place to look,” Powell wrote. “The Twins are open to moving assets, and López would bring back a strong return.”
López has been a consistent performer, posting over 2.5 WAR in each of the last four seasons. He earned an American League All-Star selection in 2023 and finished seventh in AL Cy Young voting. While he comes with a higher price tag than Luzardo—earning over $21 million annually through 2027—López remains a highly reliable arm.
The 27-year-old right-hander is coming off a season with a 4.08 ERA, following four consecutive years of sub-4.00 ERA seasons from 2020 to 2023. His proven track record makes him one of the top trade candidates available this winter.
For the Cubs, acquiring López would fill a major need in their rotation and bolster their chances in 2024. However, it remains uncertain whether the Twins are truly willing to part with their ace.
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