The Dodgers' pursuit of a pitching ace could shatter MLB's landscape more dramatically than any deal involving Tarik Skubal! While the Detroit Tigers are unlikely to part with Skubal before the trade deadline, whispers about his future are constant, especially given his contract status. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers might find a more impactful, and perhaps more accessible, target in Sandy Alcantara. He's a pitcher who, after a significant injury, is starting to show flashes of his former Cy Young-winning brilliance.
Alcantara has endured a challenging journey back from Tommy John surgery in 2024, missing nearly two full seasons. His 2025 ERA of 5.36 might seem concerning, but here's the crucial detail: he demonstrated noticeable improvement as that season progressed. For a team like the Dodgers looking to acquire a top-tier pitcher at a potentially reduced cost, this is precisely the moment to strike.
But here's where it gets controversial: Why is Alcantara's trade value currently so low?
The primary reason is his injury history. Trading for a pitcher who has undergone Tommy John surgery always carries an inherent risk, as elbow issues can unfortunately recur. However, the silver lining for the Dodgers, or any other interested club, is that Alcantara himself feels significantly better. He shared his perspective before spring training: “Coming back from TJ, you're not going to do great since the first day. You’ve got to be step by step. Mentally, I was thinking too much, people talking negative about myself. They don't know that I was the best pitcher in 2022, but yeah, that's the past. I know it, and I’ve just got to be able to be healthy this year, showing the people in Spring Training that I can do great and just got to keep believing, and those opportunities that this organization can give to me.”
Indeed, 2022 feels like a distant memory, and the statistical reality, especially with the Marlins' struggles in recent years, does raise some questions about his 2026 comeback. Let's look at his performance trajectory:
- 2021: ERA of 3.19
- 2022: ERA of 2.28 (Cy Young year!)
- 2023: ERA of 4.14
- 2025: ERA of 5.36
The Dodgers could snag a true bargain in Sandy Alcantara.
It's no secret that the Dodgers' starting rotation is already quite robust. However, this is a franchise that rarely rests on its laurels. Andrew Friedman, the team's president, is known for making bold moves. Instead of a last-minute scramble for a pitcher on an expiring contract like Skubal, why not secure Alcantara now at a more favorable price? If any team has the infrastructure and expertise to help a former Cy Young winner rediscover his elite form, it's Los Angeles.
While the Dodgers might need to offer a bit more, a package including a promising prospect like Sheehan, who was once a top-100 prospect and has shown flashes of brilliance, along with another top-10 prospect in their system, could be enough. They might even consider including players like River Ryan or other highly-touted youngsters, offering the Marlins a diverse pool of talent.
But would the Dodgers actually make this trade?
It's certainly a move they'd have to seriously consider. While pitching depth isn't an issue for LA, the leap from a good rotation to a truly great one is significant. Alcantara offers an affordable contract (with a club option for 2027) and substantial room for improvement. Even with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell at the top of their rotation, they aren't without their own uncertainties. Furthermore, a considerable portion of the Dodgers' pitching staff has a history of injuries, much like Alcantara's. By acquiring Alcantara, the Dodgers would be bolstering their depth, increasing the odds that enough of their talented pitchers remain healthy for a deep postseason run, perhaps even securing a three-peat.
Here's a look at some potential starting pitchers and their ERAs:
- Blake Snell: 2.35
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 2.49
- Shohei Ohtani: 2.87 (14 GP)
- Tyler Glasnow: 3.19
- Sandy Alcantara: 5.36
- River Ryan: 1.33
- Gavin Stone: 4.52
- Roki Sasaki: 4.46
This abundance of options suggests the Dodgers shouldn't overpay for a starting pitcher. The dynamic here is that Alcantara and the Marlins might need the Dodgers more than the other way around, which could work in LA's favor. Acquiring Alcantara before the deadline, when his value is at its peak, could provide at least two postseasons of high-caliber pitching, which would be a worthwhile investment.
And this is the part most people miss: Would the Marlins even consider this trade?
If I were managing the Marlins, I would have explored trading Alcantara much sooner. It was unlikely they would retain him beyond his contract years. By waiting until after his Tommy John surgery, they've significantly diminished his trade value. Miami's best course of action now is either to trade him based on his name recognition to a team desperate for pitching, or to hold out hope for a bounce-back season leading up to the trade deadline.
The prospect Sheehan presents intriguing potential as both a starter and a reliever, a flexibility the Marlins value. He would also be considerably more affordable than Alcantara in the coming years. Tibbs III, while a bit more of a gamble, has rapidly ascended to become a top-10 Dodgers prospect and could potentially see playing time in right field for a team like Miami as early as next season.
What do you think? Is Sandy Alcantara a risk worth taking for the Dodgers, or is his injury history too much of a red flag? And for the Marlins, is waiting for a miracle bounce-back season their best strategy, or should they cut their losses now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
