Sandy to Windy City: Cubs Land Marlins Star Pitcher Sandy Alcantara in Massive Trade
The Chicago Cubs enter Opening Day with legitimate aspirations of winning the National League Central and reaching the postseason for the first time since 2020.
The lineup should improve with Kyle Tucker’s addition and Matt Shaw’s debut. Shota Imanaga and Justin Steele will lead a solid starting rotation.
However, the Cubs are in no position to refuse top-end talent, and one bold prediction is that they will land one of the best arms in the league.
Patrick Mooney of The Athletic wrote:
The Cubs will finish slightly north of 83 wins, capturing the division title after trading for Sandy Alcántara in a blockbuster deadline deal with the Miami Marlins.
Alcántara will not be a free agent until 2028, and despite carrying injury risk, his term and ability will make him a highly sought-after deadline piece.
The 29-year-old missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but before that, he was dominant. Since 2020, Alcántara has gone 33-38 for a dreadful Marlins team with a 3.13 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, and 598 strikeouts to 163 walks in 661 and 1/3 innings.
He also captured the 2022 NL Cy Young award as he led the league in complete games (six), shutouts (one), and innings (228 and 2/3).
It will be interesting to see how he recovers from Tommy John and if his electrifying sinker/fastball velocities take a hit. However, should Alcántara return to form, he is sure to come up in trade talks, as Miami will likely struggle this summer.
Chicago would have to send a haul to the Marlins, particularly with an inevitable bidding war among other contenders. Perhaps a package of top prospects, such as Moises Ballesteros, Brandon Birdsell, and maybe Jaxon Wiggins, could entice Miami.
If President Jed Hoyer is serious about keeping his job and getting his club back to October baseball, selling a chunk of the farm for a player like Alcántara is worth all the skepticism and more.
