Sandy Alcantara rumors have begun thanks to a tweet, and these four monster trade packages could be a preview of what the Miami Marlins would receive.
The American League Cy Young winner Justin Verlander left the Houston Astros for the New York Mets this offseason. Suddenly, Sandy Alcantara rumors are swirling. Could the Miami Marlins ace play for a different team next season, too?
The Sandy Alcantara rumors began with a single tweet. An hourglass emoji has non-Marlins fans hopeful their ball club can snag him.
Signed through 2027 on a steal of a contract, Alcantara might be one of the most valuable trade chips out there. Fresh off of a fantastic season as he continues to add to his resume, the Marlins could field all sorts of monster trade offers in exchange for him.
1) Sandy Alcantara rumors: A monster trade package from the Cardinals
Alcantara wouldn’t have played for the Marlins if it wasn’t for the St. Louis Cardinals. One of the big pieces sent to Miami in the Marcell Ozuna trade, the Cardinals could be in the market to sell off a couple of pieces to bring him back to their organization. We know they liked him at one point. Why not correct a mistake and look to trade for him? This might be the kind of offer the Marlins could be looking for:
The full trade would send the Marlins Nolan Gorman, Matthew Liberatore, Alec Burleson, Ivan Herrera, and Alec Willis to Miami for Alcantara. The six-for-one is a huge trade, and it’s one that can completely alter the direction for both franchises. The Cardinals get better immediately. The Marlins suddenly have a couple of good young bats for their starting lineup.
Every player the Cardinals are giving up in this deal is expendable. The only holdup might be if the Marlins insist that Jordan Walker, Masyn Winn, or Dylan Carlson must be included. The Marlins could play hardball and demand at least one of those three is included. Perhaps if St. Louis was willing to take on the contract of Jorge Soler or Avisail Garcia, they can get away with keeping those three.
2) Sandy Alcantara rumors: A monster trade package from the Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a team on the rise. Unfortunately, they haven’t been big offseason spenders. A trade might be the best way for them to acquire a big-name pitcher. Otherwise, Baltimore might have a tough time competing for more than a sip of coffee in the postseason.
Is this trade offer enough for the Orioles to bring the Sandy Alcantara rumors to Baltimore?
This trade offer for Alcantara is a much smaller one in terms of quantity. However, the quality might be greater.
Grayson Rodriguez is the best pitching prospect in baseball right now, ranked fourth among all players according to MLB.com. Colton Cowser is ranked 40th. The Marlins also acquired 19-year-old shortstop Frederick Bencosme in the deal to give them something to look forward to down the line.
Rodriguez could immediately replace Alcantara on the MLB roster with Cowser competing for innings as the center fielder. The Orioles have enough other outfield options on the MLB roster. If they plan to continue to rise, they can always look in free agency for some solutions.
The Marlins might want another prospect they’re high on in this deal. Baltimore should hold on tightly to their better ones. As impressive as Alcantara is, they can’t overpay.
3) Sandy Alcantara rumors: A monster trade package from the Dodgers
Never rule out the Los Angeles Dodgers in any major sweepstakes. This is true for the Sandy Alcantara rumors. Even if they do appear to have enough starting pitcher options on the roster right now, they do have opportunities. Dustin May could move into the bullpen or spend some time in Triple-A. Depth never backfires.
From the Dodgers, this is a monster prospective trade package to acquire Alcantara:
The Marlins are getting three of the best Dodgers prospects there are. Diego Cartaya is the eighth best in baseball with Michael Busch ranked 42nd and Gavin Stone ranked 77th. Yeiner Fernandez is the franchise’s 20th best prospect, but other teams could easily put in him the top 15 or higher.
Cartaya seems destined to get traded somewhere. With the Dodgers getting so much out of catcher Will Smith, their biggest concern should be finding the right trade to deal him in. He would immediately become a catcher option for the Marlins, while Busch and Stone could find roles on their big league roster on Opening Day or later on this year. Fernandez is the one guy the Marlins would have to wait on.
Talking to the Dodgers about a trade could also lead to a conversation about Jorge Soler and/or Avisail Garcia as well. Their seemingly endless budget makes them a landing spot to clear some salary. Who else can envision a deal with Alcantara, Garcia, and Jazz Chisholm all ending up with the Dodgers?
For the sake of keeping it simple, the above is the cost for Alcantara. The Marlins could probably add one of their high-priced outfielders in the trade if they’re willing to pay half the bill.
4) Sandy Alcantara rumors: A monster trade package from the Padres
Another California team could view these Sandy Alcantara rumors as a chance to pounce. The San Diego Padres lost some starting pitchers in free agency. In their attempt to go for broke, acquiring him would be a strong move. What’s left for them, after acquiring Juan Soto last summer, to send to the Marlins for Alcantara?
The complete trade sends Adrian Morejon from the MLB roster, plus the franchise’s top prospect Jackson Merrill, their second best Dylan Lesko, and three more. This includes Eguy Rosario, Jackson Wolf, and Joshua Mears. We’re also throwing Luis Campsano in the trade, too. The young catcher has some added value for a trade like this.
Morejon is the guy whose roster spot Alcantara would take. Merrill and Lesko are the only two Padres prospects left within the top 100. To land Alcantara, it’s worth the price of depleting the farm further.
Rosario, Wolf, and Mears are ranked a little lower, according to MLB.com. Those three, or anyone the Marlins may feel more impressed by, can help complete this monster trade.
The Padres are offering the Marlins a quantity-based trade. It includes guys with less MLB-experience than the ones the Cardinals could potentially send the Fish.
San Diego has already committed a lot of money toward their roster with a plan to win a championship in 2023. Alcantara is a smart addition to make now. Yu Darvish is a free agent after the 2023 season. For a year, the Padres can have a lethal rotation. Alcantara could be a missing piece for them after already landing Xander Bogaerts.