The Marlins. A team whose name has become synonymous with unexpected trades, fleeting stars, and the ever-present cycle of rebuilding. Well, in the past, they’ve been quick to part with prized players—Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, J.T. Realmuto, all once the heartbeats of the franchise—only to trade them off in pursuit of a future that seems perpetually one step away. So, what’s going on with them this year? Well, 2025 feels different.
The Marlins’ current record is 8–9With a current record of 8–9, they sit third in the NL East, trailing the division-leading New York Mets (11–7) and the Philadelphia Phillies (10–8) . While not out of contention, the team’s performance has been inconsistent, prompting discussions about their direction this season. Amidst this, trade speculations swirl around their ace, Sandy Alcantara.
The crown jewel of the Marlins has finally addressed his trading rumors, as per Miami Herald. “I’m [just] a player,” he said. “If they want to trade me for a bag, they can trade me.” Alcantara has also confirmed that no talks are happening between him and the team regarding potential trading, and he is looking to finish this season bigger for the Marlins. Moreover, he also stressed his inclination towards continuing with the Marlins.
So, why is there an urge for suitors to get Alcantara? Well, the 2022 Cy Young winner’s return from TJ surgery has been nothing short of electrifying—striking out batters, shutting down hitters, giving fans something to believe in again. His numbers even made Juan Soto ask for his trade to the Mets! Why not? Alcantara has allowed 11 hits, 2 home runs, and 6 strikeouts against Soto in his career.
“It would be one of the best trades that we could have,” Soto says. “I know we have great pitching here, but adding a Cy Young winner like that would be huge.” So, is this the time for Alcantara to search for a new home?
For starters, Alcantara also stressed why he wishes to stay back with the Marlins amid a few suitors going overdrive. While the allure of joining a team stacked with All-Stars and vying for playoff success is undeniably tempting, Alcantara’s role as their cornerstone player speaks volumes about his character and motivations. “You have a lot of young guys [here] that like to compete, hungry players who want to win,” he said.
Honestly, it’s all about the baseball business. The Marlins could demand a massive return for Alcantara: premium prospects, potential major-league-ready talent, or a combination of both. Teams might be willing to part with top-tier prospects in exchange for a proven ace. So, while Alcantara is currently not leaving the team, it is up to the Marlins to decide if they can come out of their reputation. Or is it just another mirage in the desert of their trading history?
Sandy Alcantara’s trade will be a time-consuming job
There are a few teams like the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, and Cubs that are contending to land Sandy Alcantara, but it will take time. “Teams are going to want to see more,” MLB insider Ken Rosenthal said. Why? Even though he’s looked good early in 2025, Alcantara is still coming off a major injury. In this case, the suitors will be watching closely to ensure his velocity, durability, and workload are sustainable before offering top-tier packages. The Marlins, in turn, know his value could rise even higher later this season if he stays healthy and dominates.
Well, Alcantara’s early numbers in 2025 are a mixed bag, but not unexpected for someone coming off TJ surgery. He is currently having a 4.70 ERA and 12 SOs till now this year, which is a bit low compared to his 2023 figures (4.14 ERA). A reason behind no trade discussions between Alcantara and the Marlins. Reportedly, pitchers post-Tommy John often mention needing time to trust their arm again. For the Marlins, this is a wait-and-see scenario.
Would you want the Marlins to be patient with Alcantara, or take advantage of early interest while his name still holds top-tier weight?
The post Marlins $56M Ex-Cy Young Winner Finally Addresses Juan Soto’s Plea to Join Mets: “They Can Trade Me” appeared first on EssentiallySports.