It’s only a matter of time before the Miami Marlins opt to trade their ace, Sandy Alcántara. Alcántara, who won the 2022 National League Cy Young Award with an outstanding season, had a more modest 2023, hampered by an elbow injury.
He eventually underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entirety of 2024. Since his return, he has looked like his dominant 2022 self, with a fastball that has life and offspeed pitches that are sharp.
The Marlins have already moved several key players over the past year, and trading Alcántara seems like the next logical step in their ongoing rebuild. Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently suggested a surprising trade scenario that would send Alcántara to the Chicago Cubs. Here’s the proposed trade:
Chicago Cubs receive: RHP Sandy Alcántara
Miami Marlins receive: RHP Javier Assad, C Moises Ballesteros (Cubs No. 3 prospect), OF Kevin Alcántara (Cubs No. 6 prospect)
Rymer explains, “Assad is a bit redundant in Chicago, but the 27-year-old is at least usable as a major league pitcher, having posted a 3.73 ERA over 147 innings last year.” However, the real value for Miami lies in Ballesteros, who is expected to hit for a high average, and Alcántara, who possesses both power and speed.
Both players may not have an immediate role in Chicago, but they would get a clearer opportunity in Miami. The Cubs would likely need to include another top-seven prospect to make the deal happen. Adding someone like Owen Caissie could make the trade more viable.
Acquiring Alcántara would be a significant move for the Cubs as they continue making aggressive moves to compete in 2025. Adding the flamethrowing righty would solidify their rotation for the next several seasons.
