Cross these Marlins off the list of possible Guardians trade targets

On paper, the Miami Marlins could have been a perfect trade partner for the Cleveland Guardians. Miami is continuing their downward trend and is more than 25 games below .500 on the season. While they could end up trading some players away for the right deal, there are three names that may have been of some interest to the Guardians that no longer appear to be on the table.

According to a report from Craig Mish of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are unlikely to trade Jesus Luzardo, Bryan De La Cruz, and Jesus Sanchez. Mish does add that a trade of Luzardo could occur when he is fully healthy again, but that seems to point in the direction of a deal after this season is over or during 2025. As far as Sanchez and De La Cruz are concerned, Miami is not looking to trade them any time soon due to being under team control until 2027.

Of the three, Luzardo would have been the most enticing for Cleveland, considering the current state of their pitching staff and the obvious need for a starting pitcher to add to their rotation. The Guardians are currently fielding a rotation of Tanner Bibee, Ben Lively, Gavin Williams, Carlos Carrasco, and Spencer Howard, while the duo of Triston McKenzie and Logan Allen have been sent to Triple-A to work on a few things.

Sanchez or De La Cruz would have made a welcome addition to the Guardians outfield if the Marlins were actually willing to listen to offers on them. Either one would have given Cleveland another everyday outfielder to add to the mix, which would have allowed them to have one less position employing a platoon approach. Being able to have a lineup that features the same players on a daily basis is going to be vastly more effective rather than trying to mix and match with the hope things work out fine. Cleveland will now have to explore other options that may be available to them, with the Marlins taking anyone of actual interest off the board.