The noise around the Miami Marlins ace’s potential trade has been around for some time now. However, only a month ago, the speculations heated up when the chances of the Dominican star’s possible trade were as high as 60%. Moreover, the two clubs that were labelled the “best fits” for him were the Red Sox and the dodgers. After all, the former Cy Young winner logged an impressive 2.74 ERA across four outings around that time.
Now, after the All-Star break, Sandy Alcantara has looked nothing like he used to. He has spent this season making tweaks to his pitching style and trying different pitch locations. All for what? In hope of reclaiming the top form he once had.
Earlier this month, the Marlins’ right-hander himself admitted the downfall. “I need to take time and rest, think about what I was doing bad, and keep competing every fifth day.” He did acknowledge where and how it all went wrong.
credits: MLB.COM
Alcantara was one of the most elite pitchers in the league back in 2022 when he claimed the NL Cy Young title. He was also solid in the following year but then missed 2024 with a Tommy John surgery.
Still, his current 7.14 ERA is alarming, and it defies any explanation. Across his last four starts, he has held an unfortunate 8.61 ERA and given up 32 hits over 23 innings.
The Dodgers and the Red Sox have both been in dire need of a frontline starter. That’s not a surprise, and neither is the fact that they’ve been eyeing Alcantara for a while now. However, with his shaky numbers, both the clubs might want to target another pitcher.
Intriguingly, the Marlins still see him as their top starter. And that being said, they are expected to hold onto him until this winter. That’s when clubs like the Baltimore Orioles are projected to acquire him and the remaining two years on his contract. The Marlins are expected to eventually hold onto him beyond the trade deadline.
The Marlins may be left holding onto Alcantara amid his struggles
The way Alcantara’s numbers have been as of late, it has left the front offices rethinking the risk of signing him. That too, when he’s a pitcher who is still returning from a Tommy John surgery.
He’s currently predicted to be the best fit for the Cubs, Astros, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Padres and Dodgers. The red sox could still go for Alcantara after losing Dobbins for the entire season due to a torn ACL and Tanner Houk to the injured list.
Plus, the San Francisco giants are predicted to enter next week’s trade deadline as buyers. And Alcantara was naturally predicted to be available.
He might make sense for the Giants, who are targeting an urgent addition to the pitching staff. Mike Axisa from CBS Sports also predicted that the Giants are interested in Alcantara. The only thing that can compel the Giants to trade for him is the fact that he still has some extra control and stuff despite his numbers saying otherwise.
However, it would be a rare case if a team bought Alcantara when he has had one of the worst seasons. That would mean that Alcantara would be staying with the Marlins for a longer time. With just a few days until the deadline, we will know more.
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