Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara will be the largest query mark forward of the July 31 commerce deadline.
There is no such thing as a questioning Alcantara’s pedigree. He’s a two-time All-Star and received the 2022 Nationwide League Cy Younger award. Nevertheless, Alcantara underwent Tommy John surgical procedure after the 2023 season, lacking the whole 2024 marketing campaign.
His return has been a blended bag with regards to outcomes. Alcantara has posted a 7.01 ERA and a 1.442 WHiP over his 86 innings, putting out 67 batters with 35 walks. He additionally had a four-game stretch initially of June the place he allowed simply seven runs on 18 hits and 5 walks over 23 innings, putting out 19 batters, earlier than struggling as soon as extra in his final two begins.
Alcantara is below workforce management via 2027 attributable to a $21 million workforce possibility. Pitchers sometimes carry out higher of their second season after surgical procedure, making him an intriguing buy-low possibility. Let’s check out three doable touchdown spots for the previous Cy Younger winner.
New York Yankees
The Yankees already had a gap behind their rotation earlier than the information that pitcher Clarke Schmidt would seemingly want Tommy John surgical procedure. Rookie pitcher Will Warren has been inconsistent at finest. Pitcher Marcus Stroman has been a catastrophe with the Yankees and has been one of many worst pitchers within the majors when he has been in a position to take the mound.
Whereas pitcher Luis Gil is predicted again someday in late July/early August, the Yankees want one other addition to the rotation. Alcantara would additionally fill the outlet left by Schmidt subsequent season as he’s anticipated to overlook most, if not all, of 2026. Alcantara is a high-risk, high-reward possibility for the Yankees as they appear to return to the World Collection.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are in an identical scenario to the Yankees. Pitcher Justin Steele was misplaced for the season when he underwent elbow surgical procedure in mid-April. He’s anticipated to return sooner or later in 2026.
Steele’s absence leaves a gap in a possible playoff rotation in Chicago. Whereas pitchers Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd are a strong trio, that’s not the kind of rotation that might strike worry into any postseason opponent. ESPN’s Jeff Passan linked the Cubs and Alcantara, noting that the 2 groups had been near a deal involving pitcher Jesus Luzardo. The Marlins’ familiarity with the Cubs’ farm system and former discussions might make a deal occur shortly.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The truth that the Dodgers have the most effective report in baseball is considerably miraculous given their pitching woes. A complete of 12 pitchers are on the Injured Record, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin Might and Clayton Kershaw the one pitchers with greater than eight begins this season. Might has taken the ball each fifth day however has been mediocre at finest, posting a 4.52 ERA and a 1.316 WHiP over his 89.2 innings.
Reinforcements are coming for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani is basically making rehab begins on the main league degree. Blake Snell is predicted to start his personal rehab task quickly, whereas Tyler Glasnow’s subsequent begin might be within the majors as his rehab task wraps up. Nevertheless, the Dodgers have a checkered historical past at finest with regards to retaining pitchers wholesome. Including Alcantara wouldn’t solely present wanted depth however might additionally permit the Dodgers to make use of a six-man rotation, retaining the pitching employees wholesome as they appear to repeat as World Collection champions.
