You need to be a member in order to leave a comment Sign up for a new account in our community but staying positive after bumpy night in LAApril 30th LOS ANGELES – Marlins ace is one of the most confident players in the game but he finds himself in the midst of an existential crisis A dejected Alcantara walked off the field after an early exit for the second time in his last three starts during Tuesday night’s 15-2 Marlins loss to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium This is certainly not the Alcantara the baseball world expected to see after a 17-month absence from Tommy John surgery but I feel terrible just being out there and having the same result and I can't do nothing when my teammates need me the most,” Alcantara said I'm tired of having the same success out there Coming off his first quality start of the season his last time out Alcantara surrendered seven runs on seven hits and five walks across 2 2/3 innings giving him four on the season – tied for second most in MLB Alcantara also permitted four steals for an MLB-high 11 allowed in 2025 This is a far cry from the pitcher who earned a workhorse reputation by tossing the most innings of any Major Leaguer from 2019-22 and won the ‘22 National League Cy Young Award “We just have to kind of go back to work there and try to figure that out,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said just getting command back and strike-throwing It was really a struggle from the first inning tonight just never really could catch a rhythm and get settled in Some pitches that were kind of more heart of the plate it's just as much trying to get back to commanding and executing pitches at the rate that we're all accustomed to.” So used to being on the right side of a leaderboard here is where Alcantara ranks among 119 Major League pitchers with a minimum of 25 innings this season: These were his career totals from 2018-23: Alcantara has given up as many hits (26) as innings he has pitched (26) His 8.31 ERA is the highest in any six-start span in his career Alcantara believes his atypically poor command could be due to his arm not being “on time” with his different release points “I know we’ve got like five more months left to get better and I’ve just got to keep working and keep positive.” Shohei Ohtani ambushed Alcantara’s first-pitch sinker and deposited it over the right-field wall for the third first-pitch homer in 144 career starts against Alcantara Seven other Dodgers would bat in a three-run first that included a mound visit and a pair of PitchCom issues while Alcantara was caught by Marlins No. 4 prospect Agustín Ramírez for the first time “It was big,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said but to be able to score three runs after we gave up [one] early says a lot about the offense and where we’re at.” So what can Alcantara and the Marlins do to help him regain his Cy Young form The FanDuel Sports Network Florida broadcast speculated whether the organization might place him on the 15-day injured list so he could work on things The more likely option would be going back to the drawing board during his pitch design session in-between starts “We'll put our heads together with him and just see what we think is the next best step to try to right the ship a little bit,” McCullough said “We certainly all know there's a much better version there and so we'll just have to go in tomorrow and see what we can all do to try to get it going.” Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball Andrew Wright is a Newsweek contributor based in Lancaster Andrew has been with Newsweek since April 1st and previously worked at Yardbarker He is a graduate of Charleston Southern University You can get in touch with Andrew by emailing a.wright@newsweek.com or dew4417@icloud.com either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content it was very clear that Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcántara was going to be the most coveted starting pitcher when the trade deadline That may no longer be the case after the horrendous start to the season that he's put on display It has looked nothing like the Alcántara of old and his trade value has taken a huge hit because of it Alcantara has an ERA of 8.31 and has just 19 strikeouts in 26 innings If he were to keep his walk pace up and make 30 starts he'd set a career high with 85 walks in one season This is the same pitcher struck out 150-plus batters in every full season that he's pitched in and it appears that his recovery from Tommy John surgery may be taking a toll on him He has a chance on Monday to turn all of the negative narratives back to the good side Alcántara is slated to start Miami's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers He just faced the Dodgers in his last start walked five and struck out just two batters It was the shortest start of the season for Alcantara It feels like Monday's start against Los Angeles is a chance for Alcantara to prove that he still has something left in the tank and can be a valuable asset for teams that are interested in acquiring him A bad start could completely rule out the possibility of Alcantara being moved and he may be stuck in Miami for the rest of the season More MLB: Dodgers Circle Clayton Kershaw Return After Rehab Update Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsletters in your inbox See all There’s still a lot of talent here, but there’s also been a lot of trade speculation about who the team could add. Newsweek’s Andrew Wright joined in and floated Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara Alcántara was expected to be the most-targeted starting pitcher at this season's trade deadline "Alcántara has an 8.31 ERA through six starts and just 19 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched He's allowed multiple runs in each of his six starts and does not look like the pitcher that won the NL Cy Young award just two seasons ago Boston may be able to pull off a trade for Alcántara without giving up its entire farm system A change of scenery from a bad Marlins team to a playoff contending Red Sox team could do wonders for the 29-year-old right-hander." It’s not the first time and likely won’t be the last that Alcántara is mentioned as a fit for Boston. It would be great to land a guy like him. He’s on a five-year, $56 million deal that also has a club option for the 2027 season That's a pretty great deal for a pitcher of his caliber the context of the speculation in this case doesn’t make sense but it already has been said that his stint on the Injured List seems like it will be a short time rather than anything really long There’s almost no chance Alcántara is getting moved until closer to the July 31st trade deadline but the Red Sox have more pressing short-term issues More MLB: Red Sox-Angels Trade Would Send $63 Million All-Star To Boston The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at loanDepot Park Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images The pristine crack of the bat on a cool autumn evening can sometimes mask the inner battles waged on the mound In a season where the stakes couldn’t be higher Minnesota’s roster is witnessing a striking juxtaposition as one ace readies himself to take center stage while another struggles to reclaim former glory While Sandy Alcantara has found himself grappling with a decline in his once-formidable Cy Young form whispers around the dugout suggest that a highly valued $73.5 million ace is primed to fill that void quietly nurtured away from the glare of Miami’s spotlight is now making a case that timing could be as perfect as a well-timed pitch in extra innings An understated confidence seems to envelope this prodigy whose focus remains unwavering despite the league’s relentless pressure Every athlete’s journey is punctuated by both stellar highs and testing lows a career defined by early promise now meets the harsh reality of fluctuating performance sparking questions about maintaining elite stature His ongoing struggle to reattain that elusive peak is a stark reminder of how even the brightest stars can face temporary eclipses the narrative is far from one of despair; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of athletes who continuously fight to redefine their limits amidst growing expectations The Minnesota Twins find themselves at a pivotal crossroads as the trade deadline looms Balancing on the fine line between nurturing potential and addressing immediate needs they are reshaping their pitching framework with strategic precision The decision to elevate a promising arm—a move signaled by a lucrative contract investment—underscores the organization’s commitment to building a resilient and dynamic roster This shift not only highlights a readiness to recalibrate but also speaks to the broader strategy of leveraging emerging talent to catalyze both current victories and future triumphs the unfolding drama on the mound carries significant implications beyond mere statistics The evolving dynamics within the Twins’ pitching staff reflect a larger narrative of renewal and reinvention in professional sports It is a reminder that while past glories provide a benchmark the relentless ambition to excel and the courage to adapt ultimately define success the spotlight now shines brightly on a rising ace promising to reinvigorate the team’s competitive spirit while inviting reflections on legacy this chapter in the Twins’ saga offers a poignant takeaway: in the world of sports setbacks often sow the seeds for future excellence and every pitch thrown is an opportunity to rewrite destiny A Triumphant Homecoming Returning to the clubhouse felt like stepping into a familiar yet transformed world Electrifying Introduction A surge of raw talent and an unyielding spirit catapults Trea Turner from the ranks of the underdogs to the grand stage of Major League.. A Farewell That Strikes a Chord In an era where athletes are often encased in elaborate retirement ceremonies and orchestrated fanfare one former Dodgers All-Star broke from tradition.. A Season Altered by Adversity The unfolding of recent events on the field has turned the spotlight onto the relentless nature of baseball Introduction The crack of the bat and the roar of the crowd marked the rise of a prodigious talent in 2024—a season that elevated an emerging star to.. © 2025 M Sports - Premium news & magazine M Sports Please enter your username or email address to reset your password © 2025 M Sports - Premium news & magazine M Sports Monday is here, we have some day baseball on the slate and that means another tremendous opportunity to build those Underdog bankrolls with some MLB DFS Pick ‘Em picks for today Today we focus on a tough matchups for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara as he takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers and Reds infielder Matt McLain going up against the Atlanta Braves If you haven’t signed up to play contests on Underdog, do yourself a favor and take advantage of our exclusive sign-up deal by clicking here and using promo code ALARM You’ll get a 50% deposit match up to $1000 and a special pick to use With a very hittable Aaron Nola on the mound for the Phillies we’ll turn to Arizona’s premier leadoff man to find his way on base today Nola did turn in a quality start his last time out but it was legitimately his only good outing of the season Can he do it again or will he go back to the pitcher we’ve been happily targeting against Nola is allowing lefthanded hitters to post a .383 wOBA against him while Carroll is posting a ridiculous .446 wOBA against righthanded pitching It’s the irresistible force meting a VERY movable object so we’ll jump onboard Now that Bobby Witt’s hit streak has ended, we can turn out attention to Bregman, who is currently riding a 12-game hit streak in which he’s slashing .396/.473/.771 with four home runs and 11 RBI. During this streak, he’s got six multi-hit games and six doubles, including a double in each of his last two games. Bailey Ober continues to pitch to a lot of contact so we’re going to keep riding Bregman’s streak Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to increase your earnings with our MLB DFS Underdog picks! Register now and use the promo code ALARM to receive a 50% deposit match This outstanding deal provides you with additional funds to enhance your gameplay, greatly improving your odds of winning big. Don’t wait! Make your move today with Underdog Fantasy promo code ALARM and enjoy the benefits You can email us at any time at: support@fantasyalarm.com Baseball Forums How do Los Angeles Dodgers batters match up against the Miami Marlins and starter Sandy Alcantara pitcher data ahead of Monday's game (first pitch at 6:40 p.m Watch MLB, other live sports and more on Fubo! Use our link to sign up for a free trial Place your bets on any MLB matchup at BetMGM, and sign up with our link for a first-time deposit bonus! Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER We recently switched our login system from requiring display names to email addresses in order to log in You must use your email address instead of your display name in order to log in ShareSaveCommentBusinessSportsMoneySandy Alcantara Off To Poor Start, Imperiling Marlins Present, FutureByTony Blengino Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights 09:18am EDTShareSaveCommentMiami Marlins catcher Agustín Ramírez and starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara talk during a .. More baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles the Miami Marlins were not one of the majority of MLB clubs entering 2025 with designs on a playoff spot They were well aware of their lot as non-contenders and entered the season with an everyday lineup filled with career minor leaguers with limited upside Youngster Eury Perez has a fairly extreme ceiling and is in the midst of rehabbing from Tommy John surgery he could be ready to take the ball in major league games that count Then there’s recent staff ace and 2022 NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and at age 29 took the ball on opening day of this season things haven’t gone quite as planned in his first six starts with an ugly 19/17 K/BB ratio and 26 hits allowed in 26 innings There’s simply no way to spin those numbers positively and the eye test has been at least as alarming A typically insightful “MLB Now” segment the day after his most recent start featuring Al Leiter with host Brian Kenny and Joel Sherman about summed it up - as much as anything else the sheer volume of non-competitive pitches thrown in his last outing against the mighty Dodgers is cause for concern and he could bring a much-needed haul to the perennially rebuilding Marlins But if he is what he currently appears to be…..well but my batted ball-based evaluation system didn’t consider him particularly deserving He would have been 5th on my hypothetical ballot He was exceedingly lucky on grounders that season Unadjusted Grounder Score compared to a much higher 108 adjusted mark his 76 “Tru” ERA- about equaled his 77 FIP- and was way above his 58 ERA- He made a run at NL Contact Manager of the Year honors (Fried prevailed) His ability to rack up grounders and minimize liners and walks while muting contact authority of all types made up for a middling K rate Alcantara when slightly backward in many respects over a half standard deviation below league average His grounder rate remained high and his liner rate low his contact management performance was basically average (98 Adjusted Contact Score) right in line with his ERA- and FIP- (both at 94) My methods had him as the 14th best qualifying NL starter we heard a lot of talk about the resurgence in his velocity to pre-injury levels when you’re a guy who bumps 100 mph with both of his fastballs and sits in the upper 90s But his velocity isn’t all the way back - all four of his primary pitches changeup and slider have all lost at least a full mph since 2023 And let’s drill a little deeper into his arsenal to get a better feel for his overall pitching profile he has never thrown a single one of those four offerings more than 30% of the time He really doesn’t own a go-to out pitch - he relies on the interaction among all four Each season I issue pitch grades for all of the qualifying offerings of every MLB starting pitchers with 135 or more innings pitched based on their bat-missing and contact management performance relative to the league All four of his pitches got “B” grades or better in both 2022 and 2023 but only two (his changeup in 2022 and his four-seamer in 2023) got “A” grades This shows that any of his pitches has flashed above average at one time or another their respective floors were at the league average level While Alcantara has a reputation as more of a contact manager than a bat-misser he showed bursts of excellence in both disciplines in 2022-23 His four-seamer was an above average bat-misser in 2022 and 2023 sinker (both in 2022) and slider (in 2023) stood out with regard to contact management at one time or another Now it’s too early to run any meaningful contact management numbers for 2025 but we can make some cursory conclusions based on some surface level numbers After never allowing higher than league average exit speeds on any batted ball type in 2022-23 he’s allowing higher than league average authority on flies (95.0 mph) liners (96.4 mph) and grounders (87.3 mph) in 2025 He’s allowed 10 of his 24 hits with his sinker And he’s allowed six hits - half for extra bases - with his four-seamer Alcantara’s overall swing-and-miss rate was 12.3% in 2022 and 12.2% in 2023 Pretty good for a pitcher with an ordinary K rate and the biggest issue surrounds his most important pitch - his four-seamer While the four-seamer is the game’s least effective pitch and overall usage has been trending downward for years So even though Alcantara took a slight step backward in 2023 the emergence of an “A”-grade fastball was heartening and gave me good feelings about his future His pitch-specific whiff rate had climbed from 10.8% in 2022 to 14.2% in 2023 If you could localize all of his issues down to a single number (beside the walks) There are plenty of questions to be asked here and some should be directed at Marlins’ GM Peter Bendix Was Alcantara ready for a full workload as of Opening Day or was the club perhaps a little too aggressive to get him off to a good start and enhance his trade value but was he stretched out to the level one expects of their #1 starter Pitchers have been in Alcantara’s situation many times before Some take a while to bounce back - but do - others continue to struggle just last year Garrett Crochet got off to a terrible start with the White Sox coming off of TJ righted himself and then got dealt to the Red Sox for a king’s ransom at the deadline But all eyes will be on Alcantara when he makes his next starts A lot is at stake for both player and team Scott White ranks the two-start pitchers for the upcoming scoring period and then categorizes them by how usable they are The names depicted here are highly speculative and subject to change One of the most common ways they change is with the addition of a spot starter when a team is scheduled to play six games in a row but it happens often enough that I'm taking the extra step this year of pointing out which of the two-start pitchers is scheduled for Tuesday and Sunday in the upcoming scoring period since they're the most likely to lose out in such a scenario All information is up to date as of Sunday afternoon Shohei Ohtani Player Props: May 5, Dodgers vs. MarlinsData SkriveShohei Ohtani's Los Angeles Dodgers square off versus the Miami Marlins on May 5 at 6:40 p.m and will see starter Sandy Alcantara on the mound Ohtani recorded one hit in his most recent game and more below to make your Shohei Ohtani player prop bets eight home runs and 22 walks while hitting .294 Ohtani ranks 17th in homers and 167th in RBI Watch tonight's Dodgers game on Fubo! For those indulging in early trade scenarios as the season approaches the halfway point of its first month heed the humdrum message: The Miami Marlins haven’t yet decided whether they’ll deal Sandy Alcantara There is no pressure to make such a call; the July 31 trade deadline remains more than three months away the same club that waited only until the first week of May last season before trading two-time batting champion Luis Arraez who had an additional year remaining of club control the Marlins dealt starter Jesús Luzardo two seasons ahead of his free agency Motivated to capitalize on their players’ values the Marlins have demonstrated a willingness to act early The Marlins ace is signed through 2026 at a relatively modest $17.3 million for each season with a club option for 2027 priced at $21 million That’s an extra year of control compared with what Arraez and Luzardo had at the time of each player’s trade Alcantara is by far Miami’s highest-paid player. The Marlins, according to FanGraphs figures, appear to be operating about $20 million below the level the collective bargaining agreement will require by the end of the season The Marlins signed only one major-league free agent during the offseason: right-hander Cal Quantrill for one year at $3.5 million Coming off a 100-loss season and with a mostly anonymous roster the Marlins aren’t expected to make the postseason But the Kansas City Royals’ 30-win improvement last season allows for dreaming — if only in April Marlins officials share more optimism regarding their roster than they did a year ago; by their internal metrics their pitchers have shown the most improvement in the league since last year Rival executives point to Miami’s player development staff as one on the upswing Things can change in a year or two; holding off a bit to trade Alcantara gives Miami a chance waiting until at least midseason before seriously fielding offers on Alcantara provides the 29-year-old an opportunity to prove he is healthy in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery it might mean a more substantial return on a trade it might mean more ease when wondering whether Alcantara can resemble his previous form Alcantara led the National League in innings pitched (858 1/3) and shutouts (four) with twice as many complete games (12) as any other starter He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 But Alcantara had Tommy John surgery in October 2023 and missed the entire 2024 season Scouts say Alcantara looks how they expected him to through his first three starts of the season which is to say there’s some rust and his velocity is down but only slightly (his four-seam fastball is averaging 97.4 mph Alcantara has a 4.70 ERA with 12 strikeouts and eight walks he’s been good,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said ahead of Alcantara’s last start Saturday when the right-hander allowed four earned runs in 5 2/3 innings The more times he gets back out there and he’s back into that five-day routine and getting starts back we’ll continue to see the Sandy that everyone is accustomed to.” expect the speculation regarding Alcantara’s future to spike When the Marlins dealt Luzardo to the Philadelphia Phillies they signaled future wins meant more to them than wins in 2025 a 19-year-old shortstop yet to play above Class A it’s not wrong to expect overall talent to again take precedence over timeline to the majors the Marlins needed to act in case he got hurt the Marlins can wait to show that he isn’t he won an Associated Press Sports Editors award for breaking news coverage He once recorded a keyboard solo on the same album as two of the original Doors.  The Miami Marlins are sitting on a potential gold mine in veteran right-hander Sandy Alcantara The former National League Cy Young Award winner is six starts into his comeback season from Tommy John surgery and the Marlins are occupying a predictable place in the standings: 12-18 Alcantara's six starts haven't gone as well as either he or the Marlins were hoping the two-time All-Star is 2-3 with an 8.31 ERA and 1.654 WHIP More news: Cubs' Two-Time All-Star Opens Up About Alcohol, Mental Health Challenges Alcantara's 19.8 strikeout percentage is well below the 23.6 percent average he sustained from 2021-23 Opponents have a .693 OPS against him and are hitting the ball harder (40.5 percent) than they have in any full season of his career Alcantara trade rumors will continue to fly for a simple reason: he's still young enough (29 years old) to fulfill the potential he flashed early in his career and the Marlins could benefit from acquiring younger players farther away from free agency via trade Pitchers typically need time to return to their pre-Tommy John form after the ligament replacement procedure and Alcantara has earned the patience of his employer — whether that's the Marlins or another team More news: MLB News: Pitcher Plays Catch With Fan in New York's Central Park Before a contending team poses a palatable trade offer to Miami, however, rivals need to see something first. ESPN's Buster Olney explained why on the latest episode of the Baseball Tonight podcast "I've had this conversation with executives: they want to see something," Olney said "They want to see some sign that he's capable of being Sandy of the past when you look at his production in his great years with the Marlins with his changeup It was one of the most valuable pitches in all of baseball and it's now a negative pitch for him You mentioned the command: teams are going to want to see something before they invest heavily." More news: Beloved MLB Agent Who Negotiated Largest Contract in Franchise History Dies expect it to happen closer to the deadline rather than earlier Olney added that rival GMs "are not going to invest in (Alcantara) until they see signs of 'OK we think he's going to build on *this* going forward.' To this point we haven't seen that but there have to be some positive results before a team would invest in him." For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports You can now search for over 3 million videos by player Use the search box to start your search with a player or a team and then use the filter panel to refine your results You can also start by selecting filters from the panel Videos can be embedded and shared directly from MLB.com Bienvenido a la nueva búsqueda de videos de MLB Ahora puede buscar más de 3 millones de videos por jugador Use el cuadro de búsqueda para comenzar su búsqueda con un jugador o un equipo y luego use el panel de filtro para refinar sus resultados También puede comenzar seleccionando filtros desde el panel Los videos se pueden insertar y compartir directamente desde MLB.com/es There was an error when executing your search Please refresh the page or try another query to get results If you are still having trouble, please describe your issue here and we will do our best to resolve it Por favor vuelva a cargar la página o intente con otros parámetros para obtener resultados Si aún así continua teneindo problemas, por favor descríbalo aquí y haremos todo lo posible por resolverlo It looks like there are no results for your search Please note that \\\"Play\\\" filters are only available after the 2015 season Videos from 2015 and prior can be searched by player Examples of \\\"Play\\\" filters:Hit ResultPitch ResultPitch Type\"},\"es\":{\"title\":\"¡Ponchado!\",\"body\":\"Aparentemente no hay resultados para tu búsqueda tenga en cuenta que los filtros de Play sólo están disponibles después de la temporada 2015 Los videos de 2015 y anteriores se pueden buscar por jugador There were no clips found for this selection Please refresh the page or try again later No se encontraron clips para esta selección Actualiza la página o vuelve a intentarlo más tarde MIAMI -- A lot happened in the 10 days between starts for Marlins ace When last Sunday’s series finale in Atlanta was rained out Alcantara rushed to the airport but got stuck there for hours until his flight finally took off He would arrive with time to spare for the birth of his second child and first daughter Back home in South Florida, Alcantara took on new dad duties while his ballclub dropped two of three to the Mets in New York. He also mourned the lives lost in the nightclub tragedy in his home country of the Dominican Republic In his return to the mound after the long layoff, Alcantara showed rust but still picked up the victory in Saturday’s 7-6 win vs Matt Mervis crushed his team-leading fourth homer and Kyle Stowers and Griffin Conine accounted for four RBIs “Nothing came to my mind today,” Alcantara said My daughter was just born a couple days ago and the situation that happened in the D.R Alcantara allowed four runs on five hits -- all singles -- across 5 2/3 frames marking his second time doing so in three starts back from Tommy John surgery Here’s a closer look at Alcantara’s atypical start: 2021: The last time Alcantara pitched on 11-plus days of rest 2023: The last time he accumulated seven three-ball counts 2023: 60.9% strike rate was his lowest since Opening Day 2023 (59.4%) so I’ve just got to focus on my next bullpen and try to get more ahead in the count,” said Alcantara It was evident from the get-go that Alcantara wasn’t at his sharpest by throwing five straight balls to open the game he heavily relied on his slider (33%) and sinker (26%) something that was missing in his last start on April 1 against the Mets His four-seamer averaged 97.6 mph and maxed out at 99.6 mph on James Wood’s first-inning double play The 29-year-old Alcantara even entered the fourth inning with a no-hitter and led 3-0 allowed consecutive singles and issued a bases-loaded walk Josh Bell then produced the game-tying two-run single After Miami gave Alcantara a 6-3 cushion in the fifth he permitted a single and a walk before inducing a popout and a flyout pitching into the sixth for the first time this season Amed Rosario knocked an RBI single to chase Alcantara at 87 pitches (53 strikes) who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list escaped further damage by getting a lineout to shortstop “You saw a lot more of 97s and 98s early on in the game and especially after a little bit of a layoff to come back,” manager Clayton McCullough said I thought a lot of his misses were of high quality in that one inning where they got some traffic and scored some runs there kind of in the middle he did a good job getting some ground balls when he needed to getting deep into the game where we could shorten it with the 'pen.” Four relievers combined for the final 3 1/3 frames including a dominant eighth from right-hander Ronny Henriquez He took the mound to the late merengue singer Rubby Pérez’s “Volveré” (“I Will Return”) and a special tribute to his homeland on his cap it was a tragedy that nobody was expecting,” Henriquez said via interpreter Luis Dorante Jr I think we're going through a very difficult situation I wanted to represent my country with the initials of my country in my hat with a heart with the walk-up song for Rubby and also giving a really good performance out there.” USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at loanDepot Park The unfolding dynamics of Major League Baseball trade season have taken an unexpected twist igniting conversations around one of the sport’s premier talents now centers on the dramatic change in market value for a standout pitcher whose journey has long been etched in the hearts of fans the buzz has shifted focus to a celebrated pitcher whose value has seen a steep decline in recent weeks The dramatic fall from a lofty $73.5 million valuation has spurred intense speculation among baseball experts and enthusiasts alike This development is reshaping perceptions and strategies within the league signaling that the path to a blockbuster deal may be more labyrinthine than previously thought The pitcher’s journey in the spotlight has been one of relentless passion and formidable skill Celebrated not only for his on-field prowess but also for his competitive spirit he has long commanded respect in the league recent market trends have seemingly diminished his trade value provoking both surprise and renewed evaluation This unforeseen dip raises questions about market volatility and the transient nature of value assessments in professional sports Trade discussions in MLB are often punctuated by rapid shifts and unpredictable turns The current scenario serves as a potent reminder that even highly regarded players are subject to the whims of market forces With teams increasingly seeking trade opportunities that promise long-term benefits the sudden devaluation of this elite pitcher has sparked vigorous debate Analysts have weighed in on whether this might represent a strategic opening for teams to reallocate resources or if it’s merely a temporary anomaly in an otherwise robust trading window current developments hint at broader implications for the future landscape of Major League Baseball The recalibration of player valuations underscores the importance of agility and forward-thinking in team management While the pitcher’s career remains a testament to resilience and excellence his evolving market value may well redefine how clubs approach negotiations and roster construction in the coming years In the midst of swirling rumors and high-stakes decisions the situation serves as a compelling case study in balancing legacy performance with the ever-changing calculus of player worth this unfolding narrative offers a profound insight into the transient yet impactful nature of sports economics Amid fluctuating values and shifting ambitions the essence of competition—and the enduring spirit of the game—continues to inspire both teams and fans alike A Heart-Wrenching Disruption in a Promising Season In one striking moment during a recent game everything changed on the field for Boston’s determined star first baseman A Resurgent Spirit in Challenging Times In a season where the road to playoff contention is fraught with setbacks one player stands out with performances that seem to.. A determined spirit drives every swing as Jesús Sánchez returns to the field with an unwavering desire for redemption despite a series of setbacks that have tested his.. A Turning Point in the Dodgers’ Quest In a season fueled by high hopes and intense ambition the Los Angeles Dodgers now find themselves at a moment of.. Compelling Beginnings A turbulent moment in Boston's clubhouse has left Rafael Devers grappling with uncertainty as his leadership is questioned amid high-stakes roster decisions © 2025 M Sports - Premium news & magazine M Sports. HomeNFL Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all the platforms and subscription services you can find us on: DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting or prizes Aaliyan Mohammed is a Newsweek contributor based in Atlanta, GA. His focus is MLB content. Aaliyan has been with Newsweek since 2024 and previously worked at MLB.com, Wisconsin Sports Heroics and Heavy.com. He is a graduate of Mississippi State University. You can get in touch with Aaliyan by emailing a.mohammed@newsweek.com The Chicago Cubs' rotation suffered a big blow when Justin Steele had to undergo surgery the Cubs are 19-13 to start the year and could be losing Kyle Tucker after this season Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicted the Cubs would go all-in on their chance to win with Tucker and trade for Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins San Diego Padres and New York Mets are among the other contenders who could stand to add a front-line pitcher the Cubs are the most motivated to be aggressive," wrote Kelly "They've lost Justin Steele for the year to elbow surgery And as much as they surely hope to retain Kyle Tucker beyond 2025 they're only guaranteed one season with the star outfielder because he'll have plenty of suitors in free agency in the offseason President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer will have to give up more than he's comfortable with to obtain Alcántara but he would be getting a workhorse for up to three postseason runs." He ended up winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 when he led baseball in innings pitched and complete games he struggled in 2023 and missed all of last season "Chicago entered this season with seven prospects in MLB Pipeline's Top 100 Third baseman Matt Shaw probably isn't going anywhere but any of right-handed pitcher Cade Horton outfielder Owen Caissie and catcher Moisés Ballesteros could make sense as part of a trade return for Miami." Alcántara has an 8.31 ERA through six starts he does not look like the ace every fan is used to seeing he did undergo Tommy John surgery recently the Cubs may have to outbid other contenders to land him More MLB: Yankees All-Star Has Serious Oblique Strain Alcantara struggled with 'putting away' Phillies in 0-2 countsBreaking down each run-scoring at-bat from the Marlins' ace's second-shortest career startApril 19th PHILADELPHIA -- took the mound Friday night in Philadelphia with one goal: pound the strike zone Though Alcantara routinely got ahead of hitters on a night when he once again flashed his pre-Tommy John surgery velocity, he struggled to execute his putaway pitches in a 7-2 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park The end result was six runs off four hits and two walks while needing 61 pitches to complete just two innings -- the second-shortest start of his career “A game like this makes me feel more frustration than ever,” Alcantara said And it's the way those runs scored that was the most frustrating part Every run Alcantara allowed stemmed from a plate appearance in which he was ahead 0-2 “Getting to two strikes was good,” manager Clayton McCullough said “It’s just putting them away became a struggle.” Here's a closer look at how each run scored -- and how close Alcantara was to possibly having a very different evening Bryce Harper (bottom 1st)Situation: runner on first Alcantara wasted no time going after Harper who fouled off the first pitch before taking a 97 mph fastball for strike two Harper then fouled off three straight offerings before teeing off on an 0-2 slider that caught too much of the plate Three of the four 0-2 pitches were in the zone the last of which was hit a Statcast-projected 418 feet into the second deck for a two-run homer but I just left it out there,” Alcantara said Alec Bohm (bottom 2nd)Situation: runners on first and second One of the more aggressive hitters in the Majors Bohm entered the night batting .173 with a .411 OPS and just one walk in 18 games Alcantara got a called strike on a borderline changeup at the bottom of the zone He then threw another changeup in the lower-third Alcantara threw a third straight changeup at the knees He ripped a 97.4 mph liner into left-center field for a run-scoring single to make it a 3-0 game “Maybe just a little bit of not getting those pitches down to an area you'd want for some chase and just leaving them enough on the plate or in a spot where they could at least spoil it enough to foul it off,” McCullough said “We'll go back and look at that and how we can execute at a better rate next time.” Johan Rojas (bottom 2nd)Situation: runners on the corners Looking to avoid further damage after Bohm’s knock Alcantara went right after the Phillies’ light-hitting No 9 hitter with a pair of fastballs over the middle of the plate who entered the night with a .604 OPS and a 69 OPS+ since the start of last season fouled off both before laying off a slider way off the plate in the dirt When Alcantara came back with another fastball over the heart of the plate -- this one at 97.5 mph -- Rojas ripped it through the right side at 104.4 mph for another RBI single Bryson Stott (bottom 2nd)Situation: runners on second and third But his 0-2 slider missed so badly that it not only nearly hit Stott in the foot but skipped to the backstop for a wild pitch that allowed Bohm to go to third and Rojas to second Alcantara then went back to the same pitch with a similar result nearly hitting Stott’s foot to even the count When Alcantara tried to fire a 96.5 mph fastball on the inside corner Stott lifted it to center field for a sacrifice fly Harper (bottom 2nd)Situation: runner on third Alcantara started Harper with a pair of strikes Perhaps trying to avoid the outcome from the first inning when Alcantara challenged Harper one too many times the southpaw tried to bury a changeup below the zone -- but it bounced in front of the plate for another wild pitch “Trying to be too perfect out there,” Alcantara said I don't feel happy about the job I've been doing the past couple starts “It's time for me to get back on Sandy mode and get out there every fifth day and just do what I know how to do.” Are Nick Kurtz and Sandy Alcantara fantasy baseball sleepers Rick takes a deep dive into their 2025 fantasy baseball values Fantasy managers need diverse skill sets to succeed in today's game. Top prospects can make a huge fantasy impact, but even mediocre names are frequently hyped up, and prospect lists don't emphasize the same need for immediate gratification that fantasy managers do. Is Nick Kurtz worthy of a roster spot Figuring out when to cut bait on a struggling veteran can be just as challenging. It's still only April, but replacements might be more readily available now than in June. Should we pull the plug on Sandy Alcantara Let's take a deep dive into the fantasy viability of these two hot names Kurtz is hitting .250/.235/.250 in 17 PA since making his big league debut which is obviously way too small a sample to draw conclusions from Kurtz was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft giving him enough prospect pedigree to dream on his first stint in the majors will likely be short Scouts rave about Kurtz's power potential and all-fields approach as evidenced by the FanGraphs and MiLB.com scouting reports below: The FanGraphs scouting report is more illuminating for fantasy purposes because it differentiates between a player's current grade (the first number) and what it's expected to become in the future (the second) plus-hit guy with plus defense at 1B who can't run Kurtz has 35 grades on his present-day hit and game power in the FanGraphs report suggesting he needs some polish to reach that level The write-ups also praise Kurtz's plate discipline even though it isn't included in the traditional five tools Kurtz hasn't had a chance to get that polish yet He received 50 plate appearances last season giving us two sample sizes too small to work with Kurtz started the 2025 season with Triple-A (Las Vegas) and crushed the ball slashing .321/.385/.655 with seven homers in 97 PA His 25 percent chase rate and 10.3 percent walk rate suggested his plate discipline was as advertised despite a 12.6 percent swinging-strike rate also suggested some passivity at the plate We shouldn't take Kurtz's line at face value The Pacific Coast League is notoriously hitter-friendly and Las Vegas is among the biggest offenders Kurtz's .377 BABIP and 33.3 percent HR/FB are at least as much a product of his environment as his skills especially with fewer than 100 PA to work with The performance earned Kurtz an MLB opportunity His 41.2 percent strikeout rate would be alarming under any circumstances his 34.6 percent chase rate as a major leaguer is pedestrian while his 25 percent swinging-strike rate is rooted in a 61.9 percent zone-contact rate His overall line is being propped up by a .400 BABIP that won't last but the 22-year-old with 32 MiLB games in his career looks overmatched right now The Athletics haven't trusted Kurtz with an important lineup role hitting him seventh or eighth in every game Furthermore, you can easily argue that the Athletics are better in 2025 without Kurtz on their roster. His presence forced previous first baseman Tyler Soderstrom into left field Soderstrom was already stretched defensively at first so moving him to the outfield has disaster written all over it Soderstrom's move to left field also pushed Miguel Andujar to the bench. That may not sound bad, but Andujar is hitting .307/.346/.440 with two homers in 81 PA. Other potential solutions include giving Soderstrom time at catcher or using Brent Rooker in the outfield neither of which seems to appeal much to the Athletics Kurtz has to produce or he'll find himself back in Las Vegas and probably could benefit from additional minor league seasoning That sounds like a Chump in redraft leagues though Kurtz offers legitimate long-term upside His ERA estimators are a little better with a 4.82 xERA and 4.21 xFIP but still far short of what fantasy managers expected from the 2022 NL Cy Young winner and he'll eventually be traded to a contender Alcantara has a five percent K-BB rate (17 percent strikeout rate 12 percent walk rate) that isn't MLB-caliber all of his pitches have lost efficacy relative to 2023 His sinker's swinging-strike rate is down from 5.3 percent to 3.8 percent His change went from a 44.3 percent chase rate to 32.1 percent His fastball fell from a 14.2 percent swinging-strike rate to 6.5 percent and his slider from 16.8 percent to 11.4 percent Alcantara's stuff is mostly unchanged by Stuff+ as his 109 nearly matches his 110 from 2023 and his career average compared to 105 in 2023 and 104 over his career as command and control are often the last things to return following Tommy John surgery Alcantara probably won't magically get back where he was overnight You could hope for positive regression based on his ERA estimators but Alcantara's Statcast metrics suggest he's been lucky to date He hasn't deserved his .235 BABIP considering his .270 xBA is way higher than his .218 batting average against and his slugging numbers tell a similar story (.345 SLG vs Alcantara also has a terrible team context so it'll probably be a long season in Miami All of this may sound like a lot of doom and gloom for a guy with a Cy Young on his mantle and you shouldn't abandon your studs this early in the year That brings us to a question that may seem blasphemous: Was Alcantara ever a true fantasy ace but Alcantara only has two seasons where his xERA What constitutes a fantasy ace is nebulous but 3.50 doesn't seem like an unreasonably high bar Alcantara has a career 21.3 percent strikeout rate so he's never been elite on a per-inning basis but wouldn't move the needle in fantasy even if they returned Alcantara derived fantasy value with sparkling ratios unsupported by his ERA estimators and a large workload Alcantara is averaging less than five innings per start in 2025 so he isn't piling up 200+ innings this year Nobody would want this version of Alcantara in a playoff series which means Miami will probably struggle to get their asking price in trade a trade to a team like the Yankees would force him to deal with a hitter's park with diminished command Nearly any pitcher is streamable in the right matchup but you'd be insane to start Alcantara against the Dodgers tonight his next start is tentatively scheduled for May 5 against the Dodgers again Alcantara has never lived up to his reputation in fantasy His control and command are clearly works in progress harming his WHIP while nullifying his ability to work deep into games Why is this Chump still rostered in 84 percent of leagues Our goal is to put out the highest-quality content and tools Ads help us pay RotobBaller's award-winning writers as much as possible they are vital to the site's operations and team We would appreciate your support by either turning off your adblocker or signing up for our ad-free subscription tier.Thanks for being a reader get an ad-free experience and access to RotoBaller's VIP Discord Chat Community please consider turning off your adblocker for RotoBaller.com He is the author of five nonfiction books and nine graphic novels His writing has appeared in The New York Times Magazine Weekly and dozens of other publications and he has received numerous awards and honors including three New England Press Association awards Vankin has made numerous media appearances on such networks as CNN the BBC and the CBC as well as hundreds of radio stations and podcasts and served as a sportswriter and editor at The Daily Yomiuri the English-language edition of Japan's largest newspaper The Atlanta Braves over the course of a little more than a week have turned the outlook on their season around. Winners of four straight heading into Tuesday's action Atlanta remained tied for last place in the National League East but went from a seemingly hopeless 3-10 record on April 11 to more competitive 9-13 as of Tuesday The Miami Marlins entered Tuesday in third place, one game ahead of Atlanta. But both teams have needs to fill, on the field and on the business ledger where the Marlins maintain an MLB-last $67.3 million payroll and always seem to be looking for ways to trim it even further A blockbuster trade of All-Stars may help both divisional rivals More MLB: Red Sox Urged to Clear Space for $2.5 Million Top Prospect by Making 'Obvious' Trade Swapping Alcántara for Ozuna would allow the Marlins to save the final year on the 29-year-old hurler's contract taking on only the remainder of Ozuna's $16 million that is owed this season Adding Ozuna and the 1.030 OPS he has put up so far this season would help the Marlins stay in contention preventing a trade of Alcantara from being seen as a white flag on the season But to prevent the trade from becoming merely a partial-season rental of Ozuna the Marlins would likely insist on dipping into the Braves' wellspring of pitching prospects Atlanta had eight pitchers on MLB Pipeline's ranking of the organization's top 10 minor leaguers. The list is topped by the Braves' No. 2 overall prospect, 18-year-old lefty Cam Caminiti, whose fastball already reaches up to 98 mph Ozuna and Alcántara have been traded for each other once before. Ozuna spent the first five seasons of his career in Miami, until the Marlins traded him to the St. Louis Cardinals in December 2017, getting the then-No 9 prospect in the Cardinals' system — who of course was Alcántara More MLB: Yankees Reject Now Giving Braves $1.5 Million Hot Bat New York Never Saw Sandy sharp in return from TJ before Marlins' first Opening Day walk-offMarch 28th MIAMI -- Marlins ace ’s stoic nature is one of the many reasons he is considered one of baseball’s best He is unfazed by the moment whether it be the postseason After waiting 571 days to return from Tommy John surgery Alcantara jogged onto the field ahead of his teammates on Thursday afternoon feeling grateful -- so much so he made “Agradecido” his walkout song per the recommendation of mentee Eury Pérez “A little nervous, a lot of emotion out there,” Alcantara said following the Marlins’ 5-4 walk-off win over the Pirates at loanDepot park I feel very happy about myself and the journey and all the sacrifices that I made to be back and healthy.” Through the first 4 2/3 innings it was vintage Alcantara as he dueled reigning National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes: Alcantara held the Pirates hitless and tied a career high with seven strikeouts on Opening Day One strike away from taking a no-no into the sixth Alcantara instead gave up a single to Ke’Bryan Hayes before issuing back-to-back walks when Bryan Reynolds hit a go-ahead two-run single Alcantara threw 28 of his 91 pitches in the fifth Miami’s bats bailed out Alcantara by erasing a three-run deficit and delivering the first Opening Day walk-off victory in franchise history a single to right field against Pittsburgh closer David Bednar who led off with a triple -- his first three-bagger since 2022 “I thought he was phenomenal,” said Fortes who caught Alcantara for the first time in his career “I think he just ran out of steam a little bit at the end but cruising through those first 4 1/3 [innings] I think he just kind of lost a little bit of steam there at the end But he's gonna get his feet back under him The 29-year-old Alcantara didn’t have his precise command firing a 98.2 mph pitch up and in to Tommy Pham Alcantara struck Pham out looking on a full-count 99.4 mph four-seamer Alcantara retired the first six batters with ease before walking Endy Rodríguez to begin the third He worked around another free pass in the fourth "That's elite stuff,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said “I know we were getting no-hit through four or five but to be as sharp as he was on Opening Day especially coming off of an injury last year The last time the baseball world got to watch Alcantara dominate was on Sept. 3, 2023, when he pitched eight innings in the midst of Miami’s surprising postseason chase. But on his 94th and final pitch that fateful afternoon in Washington he felt discomfort in his arm and landed on the injured list with an arm-related injury for the first time Following a setback during his rehab assignment Alcantara was relegated to the dugout as the Marlins faced the Phillies in the NL Wild Card Series -- their first playoff appearance in a full-season in 20 years He underwent Tommy John surgery two days later and missed the 2024 season “Sandy was great,” said Marlins manager Clayton McCullough “You think about everything going into that outing for him everything he's doing -- so much hype leading up to this all the adrenaline I'm sure he was feeling Coming back on the Major League mound again he came out of the gates and he was terrific Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. “Probably hit a wall there a little bit, saw some arm-side misses, probably a little uncharacteristic for him, but I think in all fairness to him: Sandy is human. There's a lot of emotions going into it. I thought, overall, his stuff was great again. As he gets out next time, gets some of the Opening Day adrenaline and hype wears off, he'll just go pitch.” A team widely projected to finish among the league’s bottom three has been refreshingly competitive through the first month of the campaign The Miami Marlins’ hot start to the 2025 MLB season has captured headlines and sparked genuine excitement among baseball fans in South Beach one storyline continues to dominate the conversation: Will the Marlins trade superstar ace Sandy Alcantara this season But the volume—and tone—of speculation surrounding Alcantara has reached entirely new heights When was the last time you saw this level of buzz surrounding a potential trade every marquee player rumored to be on the block garners headlines—but Alcantara’s case has gone far beyond the usual chatter In an almost unprecedented moment, NL East rivals Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Starling Marte were asked directly about a possible Alcantara deal following a Marlins win over the Mets, and both openly expressed their desire to see Sandy in Queens During a recent Cubs broadcast, the team’s commentators casually speculated mid-game about Alcantara replacing injured ace Justin Steele either scenario could potentially trigger a tampering investigation The rising speculation stems from a combination of factors: the extreme demand for legitimate frontline starters and President Peter Bendix’s willingness to deal proven MLB talent for prospect capital But make no mistake—this mounting public interest only strengthens Miami’s leverage Each would be significantly transformed by acquiring Alcantara the pressure on front offices to deliver will only grow The Marlins need only two bidders to ignite a war the sky is truly the limit for Alcantara’s trade value top-100 prospect felt like a reasonable centerpiece in a Sandy Alcantara trade I mentioned on a recent Locked On Marlins podcast that a club like the Nationals already has clear foundational pieces in place—James Wood and Dylan Crews the Marlins’ biggest organizational need is clear: a blue-chip multiple top-100 prospects should be the standard in any Sandy deal landing a top-30 overall prospect is a realistic (and appropriate) expectation Losing Sandy Alcantara would be painful under any circumstances. But thanks to the unique nature of the speculation and demand surrounding him, the Marlins have a rare opportunity to secure a future superstar at the 2025 trade deadline © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands In an almost unprecedented moment, NL East rivals Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Starling Marte were asked directly about a possible Alcantara deal following a Marlins win over the Mets, and both openly expressed their desire to see Sandy in Queens During a recent Cubs broadcast, the team’s commentators casually speculated mid-game about Alcantara replacing injured ace Justin Steele I mentioned on a recent Locked On Marlins podcast that a club like the Nationals already has clear foundational pieces in place—James Wood and Dylan Crews Losing Sandy Alcantara would be painful under any circumstances. But thanks to the unique nature of the speculation and demand surrounding him, the Marlins have a rare opportunity to secure a future superstar at the 2025 trade deadline 'Sandy Mode,' by the numbers: Why Marlins' ace is trending upApril 23rd MIAMI – Marlins ace grew tired of discussing his mediocre performance – by his lofty standards – in his return from Tommy John surgery, so he recently watched video from his 2022 National League Cy Young Award-winning season Alcantara hasn’t quite regained that form, but he’s trending in the right direction. Alcantara recorded his first quality start of the season in Wednesday afternoon’s 5-2 loss to the Reds at loanDepot park that I’ve got to be on ‘Sandy Mode,’ and I think I did a little bit of ‘Sandy Mode’ today,” Alcantara said The 29-year-old Alcantara, who collected just six outs last Friday in Philadelphia in the second-shortest start of his career bounced back to go six innings for the first time since Sept his last Major League outing before undergoing surgery He allowed three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts “I thought we made him bring it up into the zone,” Reds manager Terry Francona said I’m glad we caught him now and maybe not in August." It’s both frustrating and surprising for Alcantara But he also understands he went 17 months between MLB appearances Here are some trends to remind you why there’s no need to panic: The ground-ball rate is higher than ever.Alcantara has always been a ground-ball pitcher especially compared to the rest of the Majors The MLB average is 43.1% in 2025 and was 43.6% in ‘22 Alcantara tallied half of them on grounders His .218 batting average against is on pace to be the third lowest of his career The velocity and stuff is pretty much there.When comparing Alcantara’s 2025 velocity to his ‘22 season and that’s taking into account his April 1 start against the Mets when he never topped 98.3 mph on the radar gun four of the five offerings in his arsenal reached at least 90 mph Austin Wynns slugged a leadoff homer in the third on Alcantara’s full-count 99 mph four-seamer His movement also has remained relatively steady over the years Wednesday was more of a return to form by relying on arguably his best pitch what do we believe is going to hold true over a long period of time?” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said a ball that is at someone and it just changes the entire thing it was really good for us to continue to build on.” He commanded the zone.A usually efficient Alcantara has been hurt so far this season by his trouble throwing strikes as evidenced by his second-lowest strike percentage (.640) and career highs for pitches per inning (17.61) and pitches per plate appearance (4.110) Though his in-zone rate is slightly up (53.1%) compared to 2022 (52.2%) his 5.2 BB/9 rate entering Wednesday was the second-highest of his career as a starter Alcantara threw 76 percent first-pitch strikes he was able to effectively use his entire arsenal And he did so while not calling his own pitches on the PitchCom for the first time this season instead turning to rookie catcher Liam Hicks more attacking,” Alcantara said of what "Sandy Mode" entails but it is what it is and we have to take it.” Sandy Alcantara was supposed to be the last bastion of the traditional starting pitcher the guy who pumps gas seven innings a start come hell or high water three-ply soft five-and-dive starter of today Alcantara threw more innings than any other National League pitcher since 2015 and he did it while throwing harder than any other starter in the league that year A mildly disappointing 2023 ended in a torn UCL which prevented Alcantara from participating in a rare Marlins postseason appearance ready to remind the world what 220 innings a year looks like which is about two-thirds of what it was at his peak which is so bad you don’t need context to appreciate it even an ERA as high as 8.31 isn’t necessarily an emergency some bad sequencing luck — the fluky stuff can add up pretty quickly and in only six starts there isn’t much time for it to even out the Dodgers put up an art nouveau balustrade against the 2022 Cy Young winner Despite his best-in-baseball four-seamer velocity Alcantara never put up bonkers strikeout numbers even when he was winning awards and so forth Two things worry me here: Alcantara’s command and the quality of contact he’s giving up I already mentioned the 14.2% walk rate; Alcantara is also running a .426 opponent xwOBACON (it was .315 in his Cy Young year) and a 6.39 xERA it’d be encouraging to see that a struggling pitcher was underperforming an ERA estimator by two runs He’s throwing his four-seamer maybe half a mile an hour slower than he did in 2022 and 2023 but he’s getting slightly more spin and movement if you can’t live at 97 with 15 inches of arm-side run Alcantara threw four pitches — a four-seamer and a changeup — in roughly equal proportions I’m kind of lukewarm on the idea of Alcantara throwing a second breaking pitch especially this mid-80s curve that’s got well below-average movement in both axes and offers little variation from his slider in any respect Then there’s the danger of the two breakers blending into each other Even though Alcantara’s slider is spinning faster than ever and is actually breaking slightly arm-side this year it always had pretty strict up-and-down movement If you’d told me that Alcantara’s curveball was a disaster and more or less solely responsible for doubling his ERA I would’ve believed you based on the spin and movement numbers alone Except: The curveball is the only pitch that isn’t getting hit hard And it’s one of two pitches of his — the changeup being the other — that isn’t getting absolutely crushed I’m open to the possibility that there is something in Alcantara’s pitch mix that’s causing a negative interaction or that minute differences in spin rate or movement are making him more hittable Alcantara has been pretty consistent with his windup and position on the mound; he starts with his right heel way over on the left side of the rubber His arm slot is a couple degrees lower this year than it was in 2022 and 2023 which probably explains the different shape on his fastballs The difference is almost imperceptible on film Alcantara has been so bad this year I almost don’t want to attribute his misfortunes to a single cause but the starkest evidence I can find of a breakdown comes in a critical spot: His command has backed up After running Zone% numbers in the 53% range for almost all of his career Alcantara is throwing 51.8% of pitches in the zone this year That’s not especially troubling in and of itself but PitchingBot downgraded Alcantara’s command from a 62 in the two seasons pre-Tommy John to a 48 so far this year he’s gone from a 105 in 2023 to an 89 in 2025 Alcantara had elite velocity and threw incredible arm-side stuff (changeup and sinker) in a tremendous volume of innings But he was never at the top of the table in terms of either missing bats or generating weak contact He was just average or better at basically everything The one thing Alcantara could do better than almost anyone in the league was get hitters to chase They chased more than a third of Alcantara’s pitches outside the strike zone in 2021 Alcantara’s chase rate was in the 94th percentile or better Alcantara’s opponents have swung at an even 25% of pitches outside the strike zone And when he’s throwing pitches in the strike zone he’s gravitating more toward the middle of the plate Alcantara’s meatball rate — pitches thrown middle-middle — is up from 7.2% in 2023 to 8.8% in 2025 His percentage of pitches in the Heart attack zone is up from 27.2% to 29.8% And when hitters swing at pitches in that zone A pitcher who’s used to throwing as much as Alcantara might be especially prone to developing rust like a soccer player who’s just come back from a torn ACL and needs to play his way back into sharpness The Marlins aren’t going anywhere this year If Alcantara can return to pre-injury form by the end of this season everyone will have long forgotten about his ugly April by the time he hits the trade market Because if Alcantara’s doing all the same stuff he was doing in 2022 Sometimes it’s helpful to read the article before commenting on it No he’s never been a big strike out guy but he didn’t miss anywhere as few as this year and he’s walking almost as many guys as he’s striking out SAN DIEGO — With All-Star pitcher Justin Steele scheduled for season-ending surgery on his left elbow and forearm The Cubs still have 90 more games until the July 31 trade deadline. The Miami Marlins are already signaling that they will be patient before deciding what to do with Sandy Alcantara Even if Cubs executives Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins wanted to immediately mortgage the farm system for a Cy Young Award winner Hoyer’s front office made pitching depth a top offseason priority constantly thinking about what could go wrong Cubs manager Craig Counsell reacted to Steele’s bad news with his usual stoicism viewing it as part of the life cycle of a major-league pitcher “Justin Steele is one of a kind,” Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd said “You can’t replace Justin Steele because he’s one of one We have guys that can step up and perform in those roles Cubs starter Jameson Taillon wasn’t the issue in Monday night’s 10-4 loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park where the bullpen was charged with eight runs A roster move is anticipated for reliever Eli Morgan who gave up home runs to Fernando Tatis Jr and Luis Arraez and is dealing with a right elbow issue with an 11-8 start while playing baseball’s toughest opening schedule the Cubs have created a cushion to avoid any sense of early-season panic The Cubs moved quickly to sign Boyd to a two-year experienced pitcher who had enough distance from his Tommy John surgery to build off his playoff run with the Cleveland Guardians but the Cubs have a strong track record with pitchers in the upper-middle class of free agents the Cubs signed Shota Imanaga when the rest of the baseball industry undervalued the Japanese pitcher who became an All-Star and a Cy Young Award contender as a rookie holding the opponent scoreless in 16-of-17 innings Preserving health will be a concern; the lefty hasn’t pitched a full season since 2019 But in matching up against Eduardo Rodriguez Boyd has each time given the Cubs a chance to win Another encouraging development for the club is Ben Brown’s adjustments from one start to the next in the rotation was a move for upside and more swing-and-miss stuff After a noncompetitive April 6 start against the Padres at Wrigley Field — seven hits four walks and five runs allowed in four innings — Brown prepared for his next outing against Shohei Ohtani Mookie Betts and the rest of the Los Angeles Dodgers In front of a Saturday night sellout crowd at Dodger Stadium Brown concentrated on his pitch-to-pitch execution and put together six scoreless innings to beat the defending World Series champs “What we’ve emphasized is when my stuff is there we can get through lineups like that,” Brown said just filling up the zone is the biggest confidence boost I can do a lot of really awesome things on the ballfield.” The Cubs also believe Cade Horton has a similarly high ceiling an organization with a successful history of selecting college hitters in the first round wouldn’t have taken Horton with the No a two-way baseball player who was also recruited to play college football at Oklahoma underwent Tommy John surgery and wound up pitching only 53 2/3 innings for the Sooners Staying healthy has been an issue for Horton in professional baseball but the Cubs have been deliberate about giving him a better foundation for this season He’s already at Triple-A Iowa and generating some buzz “Pitchers can put themselves on the radar pretty fast,” Counsell said There’s a lot of pitchers who can put their name on the radar fast The best thing that’s happening with Cade right now is he’s taking the ball every six days And we’ll see where that gets us sometime in the middle of the summer There’s mound time that’s really important to him He’s going out there and getting that right now Counsell is planning to take advantage of the four days off scheduled between Thursday and April 28 Colin Rea got a $5 million deal so that he could create flexibility for the pitching staff and step into this kind of situation whose spring training was delayed by an oblique injury appears to be on track to end his minor-league rehab assignment by late April or early May the Triple-A pitching depth chart includes another first-round pick as well as hitting prospects who could be used this summer to swing a blockbuster trade The Cubs have to be prepared for all possibilities “You never know what’s going to happen,” Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said Now you just have to figure out the pieces and make this all come together.” who started Monday’s game against the Padres: David Frerker / Imagn Images) USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) throws a pitch against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images A remarkable convergence of talent and timing is redefining the New York Mets’ pitching future With their roster brimming with highly skilled starters the team finds itself at a pivotal moment—balancing current success with the uncertainties of tomorrow’s games The Mets’ pitching staff has quickly evolved into one of the most formidable forces in the league this season Already demonstrating extraordinary performance on the mound the current roster is set to receive a further boost with the return of key arms from injury The anticipated comebacks of seasoned pitchers such as Sean Manaea and Paul Blackburn promise to intensify the competition for innings This convergence of talent not only enhances the team’s depth but also underscores a strategic commitment to excellence on the mound The impending return of these players brings a fascinating dynamic to the rotation as each veteran now faces internal challenges to secure their spot This healthy internal rivalry is expected to foster an environment where every pitcher is pushed to excel—a crucial factor during long and grueling seasons the spotlight has shifted towards two elite pitchers whose market dynamics could impact the Mets’ future plans The buzz centers on Miami’s star pitcher and Minnesota’s formidable starter An industry insider recently revealed that while one team is monitoring performance improvements from a pitcher battling low performance metrics another is keenly watching the recovery progress of a pitcher emerging from a recent hamstring setback This second pitcher is now entering the second year of a lucrative four-year contract—a deal that could become a focal point of trade negotiations if his current team’s fortunes decline Such potential moves highlight the delicate balance between maintaining a competitive roster and the gamble of integrating fresh talent from external sources With the Mets enjoying a surge of talent returning from injury the notion of pursuing these high-profile arms at the deadline has become a subject of intense speculation The current situation underlines the importance of strategic depth the Mets possess a lineup of their own that continues to outperform expectations reducing the urgent need to scramble for additional pitching reinforcements the inherent unpredictability of baseball means that injuries can strike at any time The team’s front office must remain vigilant prepared to re-strategize if the unexpected occurs sets the stage for a season where every decision carries weight The inherent competition within the rotation means that pitchers must not only perform against opposing teams but also consistently prove their worth between themselves This internal battle is reminiscent of a finely tuned orchestra where each instrument must harmonize yet also assert its individual brilliance Such an environment can propel the entire team to new heights ensuring that no single flaw disrupts the collective symphony on the mound The unfolding narrative of the Mets’ pitching evolution offers ample reflections on resource management and the cyclical nature of sports excellence The interplay between seasoned talent returning from injury and the persistent lure of trade market acquisitions encapsulates the relentless drive inherent in professional sports Every game played and every inning logged serves as a reminder of both the team’s current strengths and the looming uncertainties that define baseball This season’s developments carry broader implications for strategic planning in sports management The delicate art of balancing internal talent with the tantalizing prospect of external reinforcements remains a recurring theme the convergence of these issues means that every decision will have lasting consequences that echo throughout their competitive journey the story of the Mets’ pitching staff is one of evolution As emerging and returning talents clash for dominance the atmosphere at the mound oscillates between poised readiness and cautious optimism The future may well depend on how effectively the team navigates these internal rivalries and external temptations the ongoing saga serves as a profound reminder that in the dynamic arena of baseball the relentless pursuit of excellence is both an art and an enduring challenge In a twist that has the Cubs’ fanbase reeling a critical setback on the mound has cast a shadow over the team’s strategic plans In a dramatic twist that underscores the unforgiving nature of sports New York’s promising left-handed reliever faces an abrupt and disheartening change in his season A recent series of health updates from a prominent baseball club has sparked both concern and cautious optimism regarding its pitching prospects—a narrative that illustrates the demanding blend.. A startling setback can redefine an athlete's season and few understand the stakes better than those who’ve weathered injury and triumph An unexpected season twist has put the Houston Astros' pitching future under the microscope as emerging brilliance and unnerving setbacks paint a complex portrait of the team’s rotation... 'It's Game 3 of the season': Bendix addresses Alcantara trade rumorsMarch 29th MIAMI -- Marlins ace was the subject of trade speculation all offseason and Spring Training due to the organization’s direction. Talk show fodder picked up even more following Alcantara’s promising Opening Day performance in his return from Tommy John surgery Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix addressed the rumors with a small group of reporters on Saturday afternoon ahead of Miami's game against the Pirates at loanDepot park so I understand where the questions are coming from," Bendix said "but until we get to the point of even considering trades it's not really something that I have much to comment on other than it's really great to see Sandy looking healthy In 2024, Miami surprised the industry by dealing batting champion Luis Arraez and cash to San Diego for four prospects on May 4 more than two months ahead of the Trade Deadline After clinching a 2023 National League Wild Card berth the Marlins opened the ‘24 season 0-9 and were 13 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East when the Arraez trade was made official If the right offer comes along for any Marlin -- whether it be Alcantara or someone else -- could an early deal happen again “We're always open to anything that is going to make our organization better,” Bendix said “It's unusual for there to be moves like that The 29-year-old Alcantara, who captured the 2022 NL Cy Young Award, is an appealing piece because of his combination of ability and affordability compared to the free-agent pitching market. He is set to make $17.3 million in both 2025 and '26, with a club option for $21 million (a $2 million buyout) in '27. there is always a sense that the other shoe is about to drop When it comes to the Miami Marlins The Marlins are better a team as I'm writing this than they were when I woke up and I haven't been able to make that claim since a very regrettable moment right around this time last year when I said positive things about the signing of Tim Anderson What actually worries me though is that whether despite all the seeming wisdom about adding another veteran arm what if Peter Bendix really does believe the team only needs one What if the addition of one veteran starting pitcher means that another one can now be moved What if the Miami Marlins are about to trade Sandy Alcantara and you've been thinking it since you read the word "could" in the title Of course the Marlins are going to trade Alcantara The matter has been talked about in not if but when terms since the moment the 2024 season crashed on the rocks Alcantara is one of the best pitchers in all of MLB he's worth at least three times what he signed for when he agreed to that $56 million extension back in 2021 some teams might just give him that if he was a free agent right now The only question is how long Miami chooses to hold on to him before moving on But do I think that deep down in their heart of hearts the Miami Marlins are firmly committed to honoring an August promise not to trade Sandy Alcantara during the offseason If the Brewers were to dangle a package headline by the actually able to play catcher Jeferson Quero and another fellow Top 100 prospect That could be very hard to say no to for the Marlins front office Even if that exact scenario doesn't happen though it's not just Brewers myopia that has the alarm bells going All it takes is one even more crucial injury just one flimsy elbow ligament somewhere between Arizona and Florida over the next six weeks to drive some contender to do something desperate you could even just go ahead and tack on April to this accelerated timeline Conventional wisdom to this point has been either the trade deadline or next offseason for unloading Alcantara pretty much what all of us were thinking about Luis Arraez once that extension didn't happen last spring All I'm saying is Quantrill gives the Marlins a little more flexibility to have Sandy pack his bags earlier than anyone expected Now that the Miami Marlins have signed another veteran starter are they getting ready to do the most Marlins thing ever In a new prediction from Bleacher Report by Tim Kelly the Cubs are predicted to go 'all in' for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara Trading for Alcantara would come with some risk as he's coming off Tommy John surgery acquiring Alcantara would give the Cubs a much-improved starting rotation especially amid the two long-term injuries the starting rotation is already dealing with and Javier Assad had a setback during rehab causing him to be transferred to the 60-day injured list with how he's pitched to start the year there is genuine concern over his ability to reach his previous Cy Young-winning self Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at loanDepot Park Through the first six starts of his 2025 campaign, Alcantara has an 8.31 ERA, which is by far the highest in his career. He has just one quality start, going six innings against the Cincinnati Reds while allowing three earned runs His latest outing came against the Los Angeles Dodgers where he allowed seven earned runs in just two and two-thirds innings pitched It was the worst start of the year for Alcantara which is a significant reason for concern for any team considering trading for him With the Marlins unlikely to ship Alcantara off for little the Cubs would be hoping he could bounce back to his 2022 self where he had a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 228 and two-thirds innings pitched The cost for Alcantara will likely be high but Kelly points out that the Cubs' seven top 100 prospects give them the ammo to make a swing for the former Marlins Cy Young winner this doesn't guarantee that the rotation will remain elite Not only are there always injuries to contend with but it isn't fair to expect Kodai Senga and Tylor Megill (who have a 0.79 and 1.09 ERA respectively) to maintain these insane statistics it makes sense for the Mets to keep an eye on the trade market Read more: Mets could 'check in on' southpaw starter at trade deadline One pitcher who's expected to be made available for trade this season is Miami Marlins hurler Sandy Alcántara, who was the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner and has been linked to the Mets several times in the past Sandy Alcantara, 99mph ⛽️Welcome back! pic.twitter.com/xreLdjmU5c While Alcántara was thought to be already on the trading block, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale provided an interesting update on his trade timeline in an April 20 article "The Miami Marlins know they have the game’s biggest trade commodity in ace Sandy Alcantara but are planning to hang onto him until the final days before the July 31 trade deadline," Nightengale wrote “I want to play here and win here,” to reporters last week “This team gave me an opportunity to be a starting pitcher and be a superstar Ex-Mets GM Jared Porter addresses text scandal, mental health journey https://t.co/wSasJacNGW The former Cy Young not being made available until right before the trade deadline might actually benefit the Mets if only because it seems they'll likely be less eager to acquire a top arm in the coming months than other teams given how their staff has performed thus far the Mets might not be in the market for Alcántara at all if their starters can keep up their current form Channelsreels-78998Reelsarrow-expand-78999Sandy Alcantara K's fourReds @ MarlinsApril 23 2025 | 00:00:43add-reel-79000Reelsshare-square-2-79001ShareSandy Alcantara strikes out four batters over six innings in his start against the Reds I recently wrote about Kevin Alcantara in the 2025 staff bold predictions piece and...yes Alcantara is really intriguing to me right now because I get a sense there's been a dip in value he was called up to the Majors already and didn't do anything to cause excitement the Cubs' outfield is packed with players vying for spots leaving us fantasy owners wondering where he is going to play he had a little bit of an up-and-down year last year June was a tough month for him as he battled an injury it’s easy to overlook those rough patches and focus on what he did when he was healthy You like to see that above-average in-zone contact In the pro-team's scouting report of Alcantara, Matt Thompson gave him a 60 power and 60 speed The issue with his current lack of in-game power is his 51% groundball rate That would have put him 7th in the Majors last year for qualified hitters Not really a leaderboard you want to appear on or even something they're actively trying to change it seems the 40 grade on his hit tool could improve if he continues to make consistent Stolen bases are tricky because they depend so much on factors like desire that 60 grade for speed raises his ceiling My "bold prediction" is that Alcantara could become a top prospect by year’s end If everything clicks—if he lifts the ball more and maintains or even improves his batting average—I truly think we could see a .280 The batting average might dip a bit as he hits the ball in the air more but we can trade some points of average for added power Alcantara did improve his batted ball profile Smaller sample size in Triple-A but posting this here to look at his exit velocities A 91 mph EV would put him in the top 60 in MLB for average exit velocity I'd be pumped if Alcantara could turn into a Michael Harris profile but some of the metrics I was looking at weren't far off There’s a strong chance this is who Alcantara is: a player who primarily hits the ball on the ground and relies on his speed to get on base He could easily settle in as a .260-ish hitter with 10-15 home runs and his defense should earn him plenty of playing time but he’s not quite the top 5 prospect I was hoping for Not necessarily “bad,” but you get what I’m saying Alcantara could continue to get blocked at the Major League level or toil around in the minors while the Cubs give Owen Cassie a chance The groundball rate could even rise as he gets to the Majors We'd likely see the power dip even more and with better defense at the Majors The downside could be a .250ish hitter who only hits 10 home runs and is mostly entering games in the later innings to provide better defense Brendan Rodgers profile but not playing in Coors I'll be keeping an eye on his groundball rate early in the year to see if his improvements have continued we’ll have more information to analyze Alcantara He’s not someone I’m aggressively looking to trade for right now but if I see an opportunity or notice that his batting profile is improving According to senior writer for The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal, on Foul Territory, the Miami Marlins might be hesitant to move Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara While Rosenthal still believes Alcantara will be moved he believes a trade won't happen for some time "They [Marlins] might be hesitant to move him thinking so we don't have to do anything.' We all know the Marlins are going to do this the Marlins might hold onto Alcantara until closer to the trade deadline due to the years of control left Alcantara is under contract through the 2026 season with a club option in 2027 for $21 million It's a very reasonable deal for one of the better pitchers in baseball Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at loanDepot Park the Cubs could use Alcantara as soon as possible But with Rosenthal mentioning that teams will want to see more from Alcantara coming off Tommy John surgery Alcantara has two wins and zero losses in three games 12 strikeouts in 15 innings and one-third inning pitched It's the first game he's pitched in since 2023 as he missed the entire 2024 season.  The 29-year-old may be the best starting pitcher available for trade and his 2022 season showcases his potential. Alcantara was incredible in 2022 as he won the Cy Young by throwing 228 and two-thirds innings with a 2.28 ERA He led all of baseball with eight WAR and six complete games.  The Cubs have been reported to be interested in Alcantara but they will have to wait until closer to the trade deadline if they want to acquire the former Cy Young With how great the Cubs have looked to start the year making a big splash for Alcantara is justifiable as Rosenthal reports the Marlins will be patient in trading the former Cy Young pitcher — Backed by a potent combination of timely hitting and a three-run homer by Yophery Rodriguez the Greenville Drive cruised to a 9–3 win over the Winston-Salem Dash on Tuesday night at Fluor Field Greenville wasted no time setting the tone plating a run in the first on an RBI single from Miguel Bleis The real fireworks came in the second when the Drive exploded for four runs Rodriguez launched his first home run of the season to right field While Dash designated hitter Ryan Galanie briefly put Winston-Salem on the board with a solo shot in the third — his second homer of the season — Drive starter Payton Tolle kept the damage minimal over his four innings of work striking out five and allowing just three hits adding runs in the fifth and sixth thanks to RBI singles from Caden Connor and a wild pitch from Greenville reliever Dalton Rogers the Greenville bullpen shut the door from then on Reliever Dalton Rogers earned the win with four solid innings An RBI double from Andy Lugo in the sixth made it 6–3 then Miguel Bleis and Fraymi De Leon added scored insurance runs in the seventh and eighth Bleis reached base three times and stole two bags continuing to shine since his return to the lineup But it was second baseman Marvin Alcantara who stole the show The 20-year-old went a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI He’s now hitting a scorching .462 to open the season Jeremy Wu-Yelland entered in the ninth to finish off the Dash for the final three outs retiring the Dash in order with two strikeouts Tensions briefly flared in the ninth when Dash center fielder Samuel Zavala was ejected by home plate umpire David Saball after striking out in the ninth inning the Drive improved to 4–5 on the young season and will look to build momentum with Game 2 of the series Wednesday night at Fluor Field Written by RotoWire Staff Alcantara (2-3) took the loss Tuesday as the Marlins were routed 15-2 by the Dodgers surrendering seven runs on seven hits and five walks over 2.2 innings It was a disastrous outing right from the jump for Alcantara as Shohei Ohtani roped the first pitch he saw from the right-hander down the right-field line for a leadoff homer Alcantara got the hook after 79 pitches (43 strikes) and it's the second time in his last three trips to the mound that he's been tagged for at least six runs The Marlins' gamble on waiting to trade Alcantara until he showed he was fully recovered from Tommy John surgery hasn't paid off -- through six starts and 26 innings He'll be tough to trust in an active fantasy lineup until he begins to show signs of life but things won't get any easier for Alcantara in his next outing a scheduled rematch with the Dodgers early next week back in Miami there's a strong chance they'll go shopping at the deadline The biggest name rumored to be moved is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who will be a free agent at the end of the 2027 MLB season.  the righty is one of the better starting pitchers in baseball winning the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 with a 6.56 ERA and 12 walks allowed in 23.1 innings Another name floating around the rumor mill is Pablo Lopez of the Minnesota Twins, who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list and will start Friday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.  On Friday, Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network noted that he believes the Cubs could more easily acquire Lopez from the Twins than trade for Aclantara to get Alcantara," Levine said on "Cubs Live!" a talk show on the Marquee Sports Network "The Cy Young Award winner two years ago and now he's back finding his way." Levine mentioned Lopez as a possible trade target for the Cubs "Another pitcher that I think is more attainable is getting Pablo Lopez from the Minnesota Twins," Levine said "The Twins' situation is really up in the air as far as ownership and their record is nothing close to where they thought they would be and Lopez might be the guy for them to get some money back He has a contract for $21 million a year for the next three years." Before Lopez was placed on the injured list with a right hamstring strain on April 11 he allowed a combined three earned runs in his first three starts and struck out 14 in 16.2 innings While Alcantara would undoubtedly be a significant upgrade to the Cubs' rotation the Marlins could ask for a substantial return package involving MLB-level players and top 30 prospects In the electric atmosphere preceding the July trade deadline bold maneuvers and unexpected opportunities are stirring debates among baseball enthusiasts and team insiders alike discussions about reshaping team rosters intensify With every team eyeing the chance to bolster their lineup before the deadline potential moves could redefine the trajectory of their campaigns The idea of acquiring a proven ace continues to gain traction as clubs search for an infusion of leadership and firepower amid intense competition Few pitchers command the conversation like the accomplished veteran who recently received a National League Cy Young Award and earned multiple All-Star nods marked by dazzling performances that have often defied expectations is a testament to his enduring class on the mound recent outings have added a layer of intrigue to his narrative as a quoted performance note reveals: “Sandy Alcántara has an 8.31 ERA in his first six starts.” This early-season struggle stands in contrast to the high standards fans and observers have come to expect making his current form a subject of intense scrutiny For a team striving to reclaim its competitive edge the allure of an established ace is undeniable The prospect of reinforcing a pitching rotation with a figure of such caliber could provide both stability and a surge of confidence Acquiring a pitcher who has demonstrated both peak excellence and the resilience to overcome adversities represents a strategic move that could significantly alter the landscape of a season Coaches and players alike understand that the infusion of seasoned talent can transform not only game strategy but also team morale during challenging stretches While speculation circulates about the finality of any deal the unfolding narrative highlights much more than just transactional chess moves—it underscores a pivotal moment in the season The potential shift carries implications that reach deep into the dynamics of team success and the evolution of a pitcher’s legacy Whether this distinguished veteran can recalibrate his form and reignite the fire that once set the mound ablaze remains to be seen but the very discussion signals that baseball remains as unpredictable and enchanting as ever In this time of both uncertainty and anticipation the coming weeks promise not only thrilling action on the field but also an enduring reminder of the sport’s ever-changing drama The dialogue around acquiring an elite ace serves as a reflection of the broader quest for excellence where every pitch cast and every decision made can ultimately redefine a season’s fate A surprising twist of fate at a major league ballpark has transformed a routine game day into a story of resilience and community support Daring Postseason Ambitions In an era where offensive fireworks often steal the spotlight with an 18-16 record and a mere 3.0-game deficit.. every pitch is scrutinized by a relentless radar gun turning velocity into a coveted badge of honor A bold new chapter unfolds for the squad as a promising pitcher steps into a significant role signaling both challenge and opportunity for the team’s future A high-stakes showdown ignites anticipation as the Dodgers prepare to battle a spirited Braves team confronting adversity head-on in a pivotal MLB clash Drew VonScio is a Newsweek contributor based in Pittsburgh Drew has been with Newsweek since December 2024 and also works full-time at WTOV He is a 2023 graduate of Bethany College (WV) and a 2024 graduate of the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University You can get in touch with Drew by emailing d.vonScio@newsweek.com The Chicago Cubs should be one of the teams that go all in to acquire Sandy Alcántara from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline it may require them to cough up some top prospects they've started to build a strong farm system in order to make a move like this when the time was right David Schoenfield of ESPN (subscription required) believes the Cubs may have to trade away one of these outfield prospects in order to acquire Alcántara "Caissie and Kevin Alcántara (not related) are two young outfielders in Triple-A there won't be room for both youngsters in 2026 so either could headline a deal," wrote Schoenfield "Caissie's high-end power potential would certainly be intriguing for the Marlins who have long been searching for a power-hitting outfielder." The Marlins outfield certainly needs reworking as they haven't had a big name in the outfield since Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich were traded the price for Alcántara may increase so much that both outfielders are needed to push the deal through Chicago may be hesitant at first to give up two top-10 prospects but this is a move it should be willing to make in order to compete with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason More MLB: Padres Could Trade for 25-Year-Old Red Sox Outcast After Luis Arraez Injury