Sandy Alcantara trade rumors already heating up – Will the Marlins move him before Opening Day?

The MLB regular season hasn’t even started, and yet, trade speculation is already swirling around former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.

On Thursday’s episode of MLB Central, Jon Morosi of MLB Network floated the idea that Sandy Alcantara could be on the move this season. Harold Reynolds took it a step further, saying he doesn’t think Alcantara even makes it out of Spring Training as a Marlin.

Sandy Alcantara has been looking sharp through his first three Spring Training outings 🐟@jonmorosi | #MLBNHotStove pic.twitter.com/RRuQohfzWQ

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 6, 2025

Sandy Alcantara’s Health and Contract Make Him a Trade Target

The Marlins are obviously in a never-ending rebuild, which means a 29-year-old ace with a team-friendly contract isn’t exactly a perfect fit for their timeline.

Alcantara is due to make $17.3 million this year and next, an absolute bargain for a pitcher who was one of the best in baseball just two years ago.

He wasn’t the same pitcher in 2023 and ultimately needed Tommy John surgery, which wiped out the rest of his season. But he’s back, and early reports out of Spring Training say he looks like his Cy Young self again—even hitting 99 mph on his fastball.

If Alcantara proves he’s still an elite arm, teams will be lining up to make offers.

Good afternoon, Sandy!! pic.twitter.com/xV4QJqVp5E

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) March 5, 2025

When Would the Marlins Trade Him?

Morosi thinks a deal is more likely in July, closer to the trade deadline. But Reynolds doesn’t think the Marlins should wait.

“He doesn’t get out of spring training. You gotta make that move early,” Reynolds said. “You know how many teams are going to want him at that price tag knowing he’s healthy?”

It’s a bold claim, but not unreasonable. Waiting until July makes sense if the Marlins want to build a massive bidding war for their ace. But if a contender gets desperate or loses a key starter before Opening Day, Miami might get an offer they can’t refuse. If Alcantara pitches well in his first few starts, the rumors are going to get even louder.

Potential Landing Spots for Sandy Alcantara

Every team in baseball wants Sandy Alcantara, but which ones could actually pull off a deal? Here are a few teams that make the most sense:

• Los Angeles Dodgers – Their rotation is stacked when healthy, but they’ve got injury concerns (looking at you, Walker Buehler). Alcantara would add another ace to an already ridiculous team.
• New York Yankees – With Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Nestor Cortes, the Yankees rotation should be solid. But when have Yankees pitchers ever stayed healthy for a full season?
• Philadelphia Phillies – The Phils already boast one of the best rotations in baseball, but adding Alcantara to Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Cristopher Sanchez? That’s a World Series-level move.
• Houston Astros – Justin Verlander is aging, and they could use a fresh ace to replace him long-term.
• San Francisco Giants – They tried to make a splash this offseason but whiffed on Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani. Could Alcantara be their big in-season move?

If the Marlins don’t trade Alcantara before Opening Day, expect him to be the most coveted pitcher on the trade market come July. Miami isn’t competing this year, and an asset like Alcantara is too valuable to just hold onto in a rebuild.

For now, all eyes are on his Spring Training outings. If he keeps lighting up the radar gun and mowing down hitters, get ready for the bidding war to begin.

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