If the Chicago Cubs decide to find a replacement in the starting rotation for an injured Justin Steele, there’s a strong chance they’ll go shopping at the deadline.
The biggest name rumored to be moved is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who will be a free agent at the end of the 2027 MLB season. When healthy, the righty is one of the better starting pitchers in baseball, winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2022. However, in 2025, Alcantara is struggling, with a 6.56 ERA and 12 walks allowed in 23.1 innings.
Another name floating around the rumor mill is Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will start Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels.
On Friday, Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network noted that he believes the Cubs could more easily acquire Lopez from the Twins than trade for Aclantara.
“It would probably take an awful lot, a big package, to get Alcantara,” Levine said on “Cubs Live!” a talk show on the Marquee Sports Network. “The Cy Young Award winner two years ago, and he was out all of last year, and now he’s back finding his way.” Just a few moments later, Levine mentioned Lopez as a possible trade target for the Cubs. “Another pitcher that I think is more attainable is getting Pablo Lopez from the Minnesota Twins,” Levine said.
“The Twins’ situation is really up in the air as far as ownership, and their record is nothing close to where they thought they would be, and Lopez might be the guy for them to get some money back. He has a contract for $21 million a year for the next three years.”
Before Lopez was placed on the injured list with a right hamstring strain on April 11, he allowed a combined three earned runs in his first three starts and struck out 14 in 16.2 innings.
While Alcantara would undoubtedly be a significant upgrade to the Cubs’ rotation, the Marlins could ask for a substantial return package involving MLB-level players and top 30 prospects.
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