The Chicago Cubs currently have command in the National League Central. They are up five games on the St. Louis Cardinals.
The North Siders also have the second-best record in the National League through early June, but they have some areas of the roster they might want to address.
Justin Steele is out for the season recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Shota Imanaga is also on the injured list. Perhaps the Cubs could target a starting pitcher or two at the trade deadline.
Andrew Wright of Newsweek listed Sandy Alcantara as a potential fit.
"A change of scenery could make all the difference in the world for Alcantara and going from an uncompetitive Marlins team to a World Series contending Cubs team could get him back on track and looking like the pitcher he was two seasons ago when he was awarded the NL Cy Young," wrote Wright.
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Alcantara was expected to be the top pitcher available on the trade market this coming summer. Instead, he has struggled in his return from Tommy John surgery.
The 29-year-old right-hander is 3-7 with a 7.14 ERA in 13 starts. It's clear that the two-time All-Star hasn't quite rediscovered his old form.
What could make him an attractive trade chip is his contract status. He has two years of control left plus a club option for 2027.
The Cubs could certainly use another starter in its rotation. Imanaga will be back sooner rather than later, and a healthy Alcantara could give the Cubs the boost they need to compete with the other National League powerhouses.
We'll see where the right-hander lands.
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