The Oakland A's made a shocking trade on Wednesday, sending their once-No. 1 prospect, pitcher Jesús Luzardo, to the Miami Marlins for 32-year-old outfielder Starling Marte, sources confirmed to this news organization.
The 32-year-old Marte fills a significant need in the A's outfield. He is slashing .306/.407/.453 with a .859 OPS in Miami this year with seven home runs. The Marlins are expected to pay the rest of Marte's $12.5 million salary for this year, and he is a free agent in 2022.
The A's offense has been stagnant over this last month, and has been in need of an offensive spark. Marte, a former All-Star, fills that need as the A's will try to climb out of a six-game deficit behind the Houston Astros in the American League West with the Seattle Mariners breathing down their necks for a wild-card spot.
Luzardo couldn't find his footing as a pitcher at the big league level. The 23-year-old accrued a 6.87 ERA in 13 games this year. He fractured his pinky finger fracture while playing video games, sidelining him for the month of May. Before that as a starter, he had a 5.79 ERA. Out of the bullpen after his injury, Luzardo had a 9.90 ERA in seven appearances.
He will return to his home state of Florida to pitch for the Marlins.
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