The Miami Marlins were largely irrelevant last season. A bitter pill to swallow? Sure. But the truth. A huge reason for the missing link to their bullpen was the absence of their ace, Sandy Alcantara. The former NL Cy Young winner had missed the entire 2024 MLB season because of Tommy John surgery. And he left a crater-like gap in Miami’s rotation. This is because Alcantara has been a staple for the Miami Marlins ever since he arrived in the trade deal with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018. But now that he is one year closer to hitting the big 30, rumors about how he might be on the move again have started.
And it really won’t be surprising, and Miami Marlins, after all, are known to be unpredictable, aren’t they?
However, Alcantara’s trade value is set to skyrocket, more so given his contract status. He is under team control through 2026 and won’t be in free agency until 2027. This kind of security makes him an appealing option for the contenders wanting to strengthen their bullpen. And well, it seems like the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox have the eye already.
The Marlins will have Sandy Alcantara on an innings limit to start the year, leading contenders to believe he’ll be available come October if they can acquire him, per ESPN’s @JeffPassan. pic.twitter.com/pNaayEFHXR
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 5, 2025
But there is another factor that could be a major sign that the team is ready to make a mid-season trade. ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently highlighted that Sandy Alcantara is expected to be on an inning limit when he comes back. This is big, as a restriction means he is to be managed carefully during the regular season. Hence, he could be a key part of any bullpen, as he will be October-ready for any team. And if the Marlins are not competitive enough, then dealing Alcantara to a team with the capability to win the rings makes sense.
Now, the harsh truth is that the Miami Marlins aren’t known to be deep into the postseason runs. So whether Alcantara pitches in October will mostly depend on a trade. The Miami Marlins have made plenty of shocking trades in the past, like sending Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres last season. He is one of the best contact hitters in the sport. So don’t be surprised if you see Alcantara just playing from another side halfway through. But where will we head? Atlanta seems to hit the spot now.
Braves the perfect fit after the Miami Marlins for Alcantara?
Right now, for a team like the Atlanta Braves, getting Alcantara would sit perfectly well with their strategy. Their general manager, Alex Anthopoulos, meanwhile, also has a track record of trading for impact players and signing them extensions. Atlanta has been extremely agile when it comes to getting talent, but for the long term. And for them, Sandy Alcantara is a gem because, when healthy, he fits into the mold of a starter who could help them in the long or short term.
However, there is a bigger question mark here. And that is whether the Braves are even willing to offer enough to Miami in return. The reason is that their farm system is not as stellar as it used to be. And given that for the the Miami Marlins, Alcantara is so precious, they will for sure demand a good deal. A pitcher who matches or comes close to Alcantara’s caliber. But in the end, if Atlanta feels they have a shot at the World Series, they might tip the hat and just pull the trigger and get him, whatever the price may be.
Sure, Alcantara’s recovery from his surgery adds some ifs and buts, but his talent is just undeniable. When he is healthy, he is one of the crème de la crème of the league. For now, though, all eyes will be on how he performs in the regular season.
What do you think about him and his plausible trade? Let us know in the comments.
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