The Chicago Cubs pulled the trigger on the big trade that had been rumored for the better part of a year when they acquired emerging powerhouse starter Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. By all accounts, the Cubs had been eyeballing the young arm since the end of the 2024 season and were finally willing to part with the prospects to secure the deal.
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If one recalls last season, though, there was considerable debate over whether the Cubs should move to acquire Cabrera or the more proven Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who was coming back from Tommy John surgery. The debate became more fierce as the trade deadline neared.
Ultimately, the Cubs didn’t move on either pitcher. Now, some feel that the Cubs could have both by the time the 2026 trade deadline passes.
Cubs, back in the Sandy Alcantara hunt?
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Chicago was recently mentioned by Mike Axisa of CBS Sports as a possible landing spot for Alcantara at the trade deadline.
Per Axisa:
“The Marlins moved two veteran-ish starters this offseason (Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers) but hung on to Alcantara, who was a prime trade candidate last winter and again at last year’s trade deadline.
He instead remains in Miami. How long will that last? I don’t think it will be too much longer given his $17 million salary this year and $21 million club option next year. Interested teams will give up more to get two postseason of Alcantara rather than one, making a trade this summer more likely.”
On the surface, this Alcantara-to-the-Cubs scenario wouldn’t seem to make a lot of sense. The Cubs already have a deep rotation with too many starters for too few spots. Returning ace Justin Steele, who’s expected back in May or June, will make the starting corps even more crowded.
But what about 2027?
A holdover for 2027
Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Shota Imanaga could all be gone via free agency at the end of this 2026 season. At that point, the Cubs’ surplus of starters could turn into a deficit.
Alcantara has potential ace-level stuff and would be working under a $21 million club option in 2027 before becoming eligible for free agency at the end of that season. He’d fit nicely into a new-look Cubs rotation around guys like Steele, Cade Horton, Edward Cabrera, and, possibly, top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins.
As for what to do with the 30-year-old righty in 2026? That’s not a problem. You find a place for someone as talented as Alcantara and it’s not difficult to see him wedged somewhere into the rotation as the Cubs push for a deep postseason run. A team can’t have too many quality arms.
Although his 2025 numbers didn’t look good (11-12, 5.36 ERA), he did finish closer to his old self with a 3.33 ERA in 13 starts after the All-Star break.
There will be a market for Alcantara, especially if he’s still available at the trade deadline. So, the Cubs will have competition if they decide to make a play for him. But finding a way to bring him aboard is an idea certainly worth exploring.
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