Hot Stove League Update: The Hot Stove Is Still Hot

We woke up today to the news of the Phillies trading for Jesus Luzardo and a minor league catcher for a couple of prospects from the lower minors.  Let's break it down:

Phillies get:

Jesus Luzardo LHP.

2024:  3-6, 5.00, 66.2 IP, 7.8 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 0.7 fWAR.

When Luzardo has been healthy he's been really good.  He was not healthy last year missing a large part of the season with a stress reaction in his back.  He has only pitched one complete season in his career, 2023.  He as two years of team control of his contract.

Paul McIntosh C.

2024(AA):  .246/.340/.385, 12 HR, 8 SB, 10.4 BB%, 19.8 K%, 480 PA.

Decent AA numbers but he's not considered a significant prospect.

Marlins get:

Starlyn Caba SS.

2024(FCL):  .254/.427/.335, 2 HR, 37 SB, 22.7 BB%, 15.1 K%, 225 PA.

2024(A):  .179/.304/.190, 13 SB, 13.9 BB%, 13.0 K%, 115 PA.

Caba is a top 100 prospect who is a defensive whiz at SS.  He doesn't have much power but still seems to be able to draw a walk and get on base and then steal bases.  He just turned 19 yo so has time to develop some power.

Emaarion Boyd OF.

2024(A+):  .239/.317/.331, 3 HR, 27 SB, 6.8 BB%, 19.5 K%, 400 PA.  

Not a terrible stat line.  Has some speed.  Has time develop.

Summary:  Phillies are gambling on health and a big comeback by Luzardo.  Marlins get a boost to their rebuild by adding a top 100 prospect and a decent second prospect.  Although the upside is there, I don't think I would trade away a top 100 prospect on an oft-injured pitcher coming off another injury.  Is Dave Dombrowski the GM in Philly?  Yeah, that explains it.

***********************************************************************************

In a second trade of the day, the Nationals acquired Nathaniel Lowe 1B from the Rangers for Robert Garcia LHP in what appears to be straight up 1 for 1 trade.

Nationals get:

Nathaniel Lowe 1B.

2024(Rangers):  .265/.361/.401, 16 HR, 12.6 BB%, 22.1 K%, 565 PA, 2.8 fWAR.

Solid offensive numbers and a decent fielder at 1B.  Two years of team control on his contract.

Rangers get:

Robert Garcia LHP.

2024(Nationals):  3-6, 4.22, 59.2 IP, 11.31 K/9, 2.41 BB/9, 2.38 FIP, 1.5 fWAR.

Lefty reliever with better peripheral numbers than ERA.  

Summary:  

Although Garcia is a serious lefty bullpen arm, the Nationals get a solid position player with 2 years of control which I think is a good trade for them.  Buster might look back and tell himself he wished he traded for Lowe.

***********************************************************************************

Thanks to BaseballJeff1 on Blusky for noting the Giants signed Antonio Jimenez LHP to a minor league contract:

Antonio Jimenez LHP.  DOB:  5/6/2001.  5', 11", 145 lbs.

2024(AA):  3-0, 3.44, 36.2 IP, 8.84 K/9, 3.68 BB/9.

2024(AAA):  1-0, 4.32, 25 IP, 7.92 K/9, 2.52 BB/9.  

Diminutive lefty who may be running out of time to add bulk to his frame which may consign him to the bullpen.  He has a 3-pitch mix with a low-mid 90's FB.  Best pitch seems to be a changeup per Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs.

***********************************************************************************

In addition to Nien-Hsi Yang RHP, the Giants signed a pair of 17 yo RHP's to contracts to finish out their 2024 international signing period, Mario Gonzalez and Carlos Toro.  We'll be watching for them in minor league boxscores this summer.