The Miami Marlins have had a disappointing 2024 season, which was somewhat expected after their ace, Sandy Alcantara, was sidelined for the year following Tommy John surgery in October. Despite not pitching at all this season, Alcantara has been the subject of trade rumors due to Miami’s ongoing struggles.
Alcantara has solidified his reputation as one of the league’s top starters during his time with the Marlins, particularly shining in the 2022 season when he won the National League Cy Young Award. While he faced challenges in 2023, teams have still shown interest in acquiring him through trades. Miami has been reluctant to part ways with their star pitcher, but that stance could shift if they continue to falter in 2025.
Should the Marlins consider trading Sandy Alcantara?
The Marlins have been stuck in mediocrity for several years without fully committing to a rebuild. Although they moved several players at this year’s trade deadline, they have held on to Alcantara. While trading him now doesn’t make much sense given his current injury status, the Marlins have had opportunities to trade him in the past.
With Alcantara turning 29 next season and Miami far from being a serious contender, holding onto him seems counterproductive. If he returns strong next season but the team continues to struggle, it could be the perfect time for the Marlins’ front office to trade him to a contender in exchange for a substantial haul of prospects.
The @Marlins are not planning to trade Sandy Alcántara this offseason – but if they get off to a slow start, it could happen next year says @Ken_Rosenthal pic.twitter.com/Re5L1rRnCa
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 16, 2024
At his peak in 2022, Alcantara was arguably the best pitcher in baseball (14-9, 2.28 ERA, 207 K, 0.98 WHIP). His ability to strike out batters and his remarkable endurance, highlighted by six complete games in 2022 and three more in 2023, made him a highly coveted asset. It’s no surprise that several teams remain interested in acquiring him.
Unless the Marlins unexpectedly surge next season, there’s little reason to keep Alcantara. Trading him while his value remains high would likely be the best move. While he won’t pitch this season, the ongoing trade speculation surrounding Alcantara will be a story worth following closely in the coming months.
