The Miami Marlins have decided to trade their ace, Sandy Alcántara. After winning the 2022 National League Cy Young award with a standout season in Miami, Alcántara had a more modest 2023 campaign, marred by an elbow injury.
He eventually required Tommy John surgery, which kept him out for all of 2024. However, since his return, he has looked like his dominant 2022 self, with a powerful fastball and electric off-speed pitches.
The Marlins have already traded several key players over the past year, and dealing Alcántara would be the next step in their full rebuild. Recently, Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer proposed a surprising trade that would send Alcántara to the Chicago Cubs. Here’s the trade Rymer suggested:
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 noted that Assad might be a bit redundant for the Cubs but is still a reliable major league pitcher with a 3.73 ERA over 147 innings last season. The real value for the Marlins lies in Ballesteros, who is expected to hit for a high average, and Alcántara, who brings power and speed. Neither player has a clear role in Chicago, but that wouldn’t be an issue in Miami. The Cubs would likely need to include another top-seven prospect, such as Owen Caissie, to make the deal work.
Acquiring Alcántara would be a big move for the Cubs, who have been focused on making win-now decisions as they approach the 2025 season. Adding the flamethrowing right-hander would be a massive boost to their rotation for the next few years.