It is never too early to start discussing potential trades in MLB. The MLB trade deadline day is one of the most exciting times of the season. Depending on how the first half of their season has gone, some teams are looking to sell, while others are looking to buy. Meanwhile, some of the biggest names around the league could be available for the right price.
The Miami Marlins’ starting pitcher, Sandy Alcántara, is one player already getting trade buzz, but the number of teams interested in his services remains up in the air.
MLB Teams ‘Hesitant’ Over Sandy Alcántara
According to MLB analyst Ken Rosenthal, who joined “Foul Territory,” many teams in the MLB are “hesitant” to acquire Alcántara as he returns from Tommy John surgery.
After missing all of last season, every team wants to know precisely what they are getting in Alcántara. He is a former Cy Young winner, and that is the pitcher every team would be salivating to acquire.
Sandy Alcantara might not get traded as quickly as some think, says @Ken_Rosenthal.
"Teams are going to want to see more." pic.twitter.com/xTnSJdWFEF
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) April 15, 2025
So far this season, Alcántara has made three starts totaling 15.1 innings. He has an ERA of 4.70 and has struggled with command. He has eight walks in those 15.1 innings, which is uncommon for a pitcher of his stature. Alcántara may not be moved until closer to the trade deadline at the end of July. That will give teams a better picture of what player they will be getting.
While we have seen Alcántara win a Cy Young with the Marlins, he might not be a part of Miami’s plans. Alcántara will turn 30 before the end of this season, and the Marlins do not seem like they will be competitive anytime soon. It would be wise of the Marlins to move Alcántara this season for a package of young players/prospects.
This seems to be how the Marlins’ organization operates: They find a player, develop him, and then trade him away. They rarely spend money on free agents and have one of the smallest payrolls in baseball.
The last time we saw the Marlins in the postseason was after their surprise 2023 season when they won 84 games, but they were promptly bounced in the first round of the playoffs.
The Marlins seem to be an organization without much direction; they rely on their ability to draft and develop to make them competitive at the big league level. While that is important, they may never make it back to the World Series if they do not commit to spending money.