The Chicago Cubs currently sit at the top of the National League Central at 54-38, which is the second-best record in the Senior Circuit. They lead the Milwaukee Brewers by 1 1/2 games.
However, the Cubs have some areas of their roster that they'll need to address. The starting rotation is the most obvious.
The team lost Justin Steele for the season to Tommy John surgery and is now without Jameson Taillon, who recently went down with a calf injury.
Jeff Passan of ESPN listed the best fits for each contending team with the trade deadline approaching. For the Cubs, the best fit was right-hander Sandy Alcantara.
"Whether it's Alcántara or another starter, the Cubs are a good starter away from having one of the top teams in baseball. Their offense is undeniable. Their defense is magnificent. Their bullpen has been a pleasant surprise. Adding a playoff-caliber starter, even if it pushes Chicago past the $241 million luxury-tax threshold, would reward a team that has brought excitement back to the North Side of Chicago," Passan wrote.
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Alcantara has struggled this season. It is his first year back from Tommy John surgery, which knocked him out for the entire 2024 season.
The former Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star is 4-9 with a 7.22 ERA in 18 starts with the Miami Marlins. His strikeout rate is down to seven per nine innings.
However, a change of scenery could help him rediscover his old form. The Cubs are a clear contender and need another starting pitcher.
With a healthy Alcantara in the fold, Chicago could potentially challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers for the NL Pennant. The Cubs will almost certainly be buyers at this year's deadline, and Alcantara makes sense for a team in need of pitching.
We'll see what the Cubs decide to do in the coming weeks.
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