The Chicago Cubs' lead in the National League Central is down to two games entering play on Friday. They could add to the starting rotation to hold off the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Cubs will be without Justin Steele for the rest of the season. Jameson Taillon is also expected to miss an extended period of time after a calf injury. The rotation was already week before the injury to Taillon, so there may be a sense of urgency to add a starter.
Cubs starters have a 4.15 ERA this season. Outside of Matthew Boyd and Shōta Imanaga, nobody has been great. Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly suggested the Cubs trade for Sandy Alcántara of the Miami Marlins.
"Alcántara would represent a big swing as the Cubs try to maximize their only guaranteed year with Tucker," wrote Kelly. "But even if he doesn't pitch like an ace this year, he could remain with the Cubs for two more seasons and potentially rediscover the form that made him the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2022."
Alcántara has not been great this season. He has a 7.32 ERA in 18 starts. He missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Cubs would be banking on his potential and would likely view him as a number-three starter. However, he still would not be cheap. The two-time All-Star signed a five-year, $56 million deal in 2022 and is under club control through 2027. The upside is that he could look more like his former self next season, after being a full season removed from Tommy John surgery.
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"The Cubs have a farm system led by position players who are knocking on the door of the majors," writes Kelly. "OF Owen Caissie, C/1B Moisés Ballesteros, OF Kevin Alcántara and 2B/OF James Triantos are all players currently at Triple-A Iowa who could be of interest to the Marlins in return for this trade because they could join immediately."
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