MLB Insider Proposes Massive Blockbuster Trade Sending Sandy Alcantara to the Cubs originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Miami Marlins are refusing to pawn Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara at the trade deadline. Should this stop teams from asking about him? According to one MLB insider and former general manager, the answer is no.
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In a recent article from The Athletic, Jim Bowden proposed sending Alcantara to the Chicago Cubs for an irrefutable package. The Cubs have an obvious need for a starter and have been linked to Alcantara numerous times in the past several months. Replacing Justin Steele, who is out for the season, with an ace could propel the Cubs to a World Series victory.
Unfortunately, Alcantara got off to a vapid pace and now maintains an ERA of 6.88. Truth be told, he has been better through three starts in June, but there are still questions around his overall reliability. With this in mind, who should the Cubs deal for a scuffling ace? According to Bowden, a package of Cade Horton, Owen Caissie, Kelvin Alcántara, and Ronny Cruz should suffice.
“Sandy Alcantara has pitched much better of late, allowing two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts,” he wrote. “He has a 6.88 ERA on the season, but if he shows he’s making even more progress toward rediscovering his Cy Young Award-winning form, what an acquisition he would be. In that scenario, adding an ace like Alcantara to their starting rotation would solidify the Cubs’ chances to not only win the NL Central but also vastly improve their postseason odds and chances of advancing to the World Series.
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) looks on against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at loanDepot Park.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
“In return, the Marlins would receive Horton, 23, to replace Sandy Alcantara in their rotation, and two corner outfielders, Caissie and Kevin Alcántara, who should be major-league-ready by next year; that would allow Miami to trade either outfielder Jesús Sánchez or outfielder Kyle Stowers at this year’s deadline for more talent.”
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The top three in this scenario are among the Cubs’ top four prospects and MLB’s top 100. Cruz is the Cubs’ no. 13 prospect. Because of their staggering depth, Chicago likely wouldn’t miss these prospects (aside from Horton), at least half of whom have no clear shot at a roster spot.
For Miami, this would be an amazing return. For the Cubs, this would only work out if the Marlins’ ace returns to Cy Young form. The clear risk remains: Sandy Alcantara has been erratic. One can understand the Cubs taking drastic measures to ensure Kyle Tucker’s tenure results in a championship, but it should also be a time of caution to avoid wasting their World Series opportunity.
Taking a risk on Alcantara may or may not be worth it, but at the expense of Cade Horton, who is holding the rotation together in the absence of Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, and Steele, it is not. If Alcantara should struggle, losing Horton would only be salt in the wound. Perhaps if Horton is replaced with Moisés Ballesteros, who is also blocked from the roster, this scenario would be a solid trade. However, we still need to question if Alcantara, in his current state, is worth such a package.
Related: Jed Hoyer Reveals Tough News on Cubs Trade Deadline Plans
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
