Sandy Alcántara’s name is going to pop up all over trade rumors for the next six weeks as the right-handed starting pitcher is beginning to turn the corner after struggling through May. The Miami Marlins are expected to trade the 2022 Cy Young award winner at some point over the next year or so and any team looking for an upgrade in the rotation is going to be connected to Alcántara in trade rumors. That includes the Chicago Cubs.
A new trade proposal was unleashed to the masses on Tuesday by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden. You are not going to be prepared for this abomination. Before we get to one of the worst trade ideas ever presented and it’s up there for the worst trade proposal we’ve seen so far in 2025, I’ll share a hypothetical trade for Alcántara that I concocted last week.
That trade proposal got a mixed reaction. You either believe in Ben Brown as a future starter or you don’t and that pretty much gages how you feel. I did get a ton of replies saying how big an overpay that was, but my main thought was that this is what a deal could end up looking like at the end of July if Alcántara continues to show signs of improvement.
And guess what, Alcántara is pitching better. After recording an 8.47 ERA through his first 11 starts of 2025, Alcántara has strung together three straight good starts in June.
The righty tossed five innings against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday and allowed two runs as he gave up a pair of solo home runs. Yet, that’s now a 2.12 ERA in Alcántara’s last three starts that covers 17 innings. During this stretch the Marlins’ starter has a 15/3 K/BB ratio after posting a 40/29 K/BB ratio through May 28.
I might be higher on Alcántara than most Cubs fans. I get that his numbers have been really ugly and although Tommy John surgery is becoming a norm for pitchers Alcántara is coming off a serious elbow injury and is approaching 30-years-old. There are certainly concerns that you’re not going to get a true ace that you’re hoping to acquire in a potentially big trade for him.
Still, I think trading a few good prospects is worth the risk. Well, Bowden took it to an insane level because his trade proposal that involves the Cubs getting Alcántara includes three top-100 prospects, including the top pitching prospect in the organization.
Via The Athletic.
Marlins trade RHP Sandy Alcantara to Cubs for RHP Cade Horton, OF Owen Caissie, OF Kevin Alcántara and SS Ronny Cruz
In return, the Marlins would receive Horton, 23, to replace Sandy Alcantara in their rotation, and two corner outfielders, Caissie and Kevin Alcántara, who should be major-league-ready by next year; that would allow Miami to trade either outfielder Jesús Sánchez or outfielder Kyle Stowers at this year’s deadline for more talent. Caissie, 22, has an .879 OPS this season at Triple A, while his Iowa Cubs teammate Alcántara, 22, is batting .239/.322/.400 with seven homers and nine steals. Cruz, an 18-year-old who is currently in Rookie ball, would be the final piece to make the deal work for Miami.
Sandy Alcantara is signed through 2026 with a $21 million team option for 2027, so this trade would bolster Chicago now and in the coming years. Sure, this package would be a stiff price for the Cubs to pay, but given their position player depth in the majors, it’s a risk worth taking.
Oh my word. I know that there aren’t any true untouchables in sports. We see crazy trades all the time, but there’s no chance in hell the Cubs would ever consider trading away Cade Horton right now. That’s just a conversation ender, but then Bowden includes top outfield prospects Owen Caissie AND Kevin Alcántara?
Ge the fuck outta here, Jim!
