The Chicago Cubs need starting pitching, and Sandy Alcantara was supposed to be the perfect target at the 2025 trade deadline.
After returning from Tommy John surgery that cost him all of the 2024 season, the 2022 National League Cy Young winner has been a flop. Through 12 starts, Alcantara has an ERA of 7.89 and -1.4 bWAR. He’s getting shelled, and it could be killing his trade value for the Miami Marlins.
However, Alcantara still has a great track record and a team-friendly contract with control through 2027. The Marlins aren’t just going to give him up, especially because they can try to trade him again this offseason, or at next year’s trade deadline if absolutely necessary.
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Jeff Passan named Alcantara as the best fit of any player that projects to be available at the deadline. But what would the return have to look like for the Marlins to give him up with his diminished value?
In a recent YouTube video, content creator Jim Riley proposed a three-player haul for Alcantara: Cubs shortstop prospects Jefferson Rojas and Yahil Melendez, and outfield prospect Eli Lovich.
“Because of the years of control, the trade package is going to have to be substantial,” Riley said. “And it’s also going to have to be young, because Miami doesn’t want anybody even close to sniffing service time.”
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“From the Cubs’ perspective, are we doing this? It is fair if we take a look at the value.”
The Cubs have a stockpile of position player talent at the big-league level, with several prospects ahead of the three Riley identifies in the pecking order. So in theory, they should be fine parting with such a substantial haul.
However, it would be hard to argue with the Cubs if they aren’t willing to take that sort of a risk for a pitcher struggling as mightily as Alcantara is.
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