The Chicago Cubs are atop the NL Central and will likely be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.
One area of need for the Cubs is adding to their rotation. Major League Baseball analyst Bailey Bassett of ClutchPoints proposed a deal that would see the Cubs acquire Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins.
Cubs acquire:
- Sandy Alcantara
Marlins acquire:
- Jefferson Rojas (MLB’s No. 77 prospect, Cubs’ No. 4 prospect)
- Jonathan Long (Cubs’ No. 13 prospect)
The proposed deal would be a blockbuster and would strengthen the Cubs’ rotation. However, despite Alcantara’s struggles, Chicago would have to part ways with two top prospects to make the trade happen.
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“While it isn't a guarantee that Alcantara will return to form, he'd be a worthwhile gamble for the Cubs because Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, and Jameson Taillon are all pitching well, so Alcantara would be more of a luxury,” Bassett wrote. “By playing on a contender, Alcantara would likely be a lot more motivated than he has been on one of the worst teams in baseball, with a team that has been rumored to be gauging the trade market on him for quite a while.”
Alcantara is 2-7 with a 7.89 ERA this season in 12 starts. But, he was the NL Cy Young Award Winner in 2022 as well as an All-Star in 2019 and 2022, so Chicago would be hoping he can regain his form. Alcantara has another full year left on his five-year, $56 million deal with the Marlins while having a club option for 2027.
In return, Chicago would give up Rojas, who’s a middle infield prospect and is expected to reach the majors in 2026. Long, meanwhile, is a corner infielder/outfield prospect who could play in the majors with the Marlins now.
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