MLB Rumors: Sandy Alcantara Predicted To Land With Surprising Team In Deadline Blockbuster

Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara throws the ball during 2025 game.

Despite Sandy Alcantara’s rocky return from Tommy John surgery, Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly believes the Chicago Cubs will make the move to acquire the former NL Cy Young winner before the 2025 MLB trade deadline.

In his early deadline predictions, Kelly wrote, “The Cubs are the most motivated to be aggressive,” citing the team’s urgent need for pitching help and their World Series aspirations following a strong start to the season.

Cubs Eye Rotation Upgrade Amid Injuries

Chicago has weathered a difficult early schedule and currently sits atop the NL Central. But injuries to ace Justin Steele, along with concerns surrounding Javier Assad and Shota Imanaga, have left a glaring hole in the starting rotation. That’s where Alcantara, who is under team control through 2026 with a $21 million club option for 2027, could be a major solution—if he can bounce back.

Alcantara owns an 8.31 ERA across his first six starts of 2025, and recent outings—including a seven-run disaster against the Los Angeles Dodgers—have cratered his trade value. Still, Kelly insists that if the Miami Marlins right-hander regains form, “he would be getting a workhorse for up to three postseason runs.”

With top prospects like Cade Horton, Owen Caissie, and Moisés Ballesteros in their system, the Cubs have the assets to make it happen.

The Cubs need a starting pitcher, and @jacobzanolla fully expects them to be involved in the Sandy Alcántara trade market pic.twitter.com/2IP0gmuolH
— Cubs Insider (@realcubsinsider) April 28, 2025

Waiting on a Bounce Back

For now, the Cubs are watching closely. “If Alcantara can’t be consistent throughout the summer, the Cubs might not be in the position to use some of their valuable assets to acquire him,” noted Inside the Cubs. But there’s still belief around the league that Alcantara’s struggles are temporary as he knocks off rust. And if he returns to even a fraction of his Cy Young form, Chicago might just be the team ready to pounce.