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As the 2025 MLB trade deadline approaches, the Miami Marlins find themselves in a familiar position—firmly entrenched as sellers. Despite a brief surge in early July, Miami’s season has been defined by inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of depth, leaving them well out of the National League playoff race. The front office, led by Peter Bendix, has made it clear that the focus is now on the future, and the Marlins are poised to leverage their most valuable assets to accelerate a much-needed rebuild.
While the Marlins have some intriguing young talent, their timeline for contention does not align with the prime years of several veterans. This reality has prompted the front office to signal a willingness to move key players, especially those with significant value on the trade market and multiple years of control remaining.
Who’s on the Block?
Several Marlins have emerged as prime trade candidates. Outfielder Jesús Sánchez, reliever Anthony Bender, and starting pitchers Edward Cabrera and Cal Quantrill are all drawing interest from contenders. Yet, the name dominating trade rumors is former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara.
Alcantara’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, he struggled out of the gate, posting an unsightly ERA near 7.00 through mid-June. However, a recent string of quality starts has reignited interest, with Alcantara flashing the velocity and command that made him one of baseball’s most coveted arms. His contract, guaranteed through 2026 with a club option for 2027, makes him especially attractive to teams seeking both immediate impact and long-term stability in their rotation.
The Case for Trading Sandy Alcantara
Trading a homegrown ace is never easy, especially one who won the Cy Young just three years ago. But the Marlins’ reality is stark: by the time they are ready to contend again, Alcantara will be in his thirties, and his value may never be higher than it is right now, following a strong June that has reassured scouts and executives across the league.
The Marlins’ leverage is significant. Multiple contenders, including the Cubs, Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays, are monitoring Alcantara’s starts closely. Miami’s asking price is steep: a package built around a top-50 overall prospect, a major-league-ready bat, and a third high-upside piece. The front office has made it clear they will not sell low and are prepared to wait until the offseason if their demands are not met.
The Predicted Blockbuster Trade
After surveying the market and weighing the needs of various contenders, the most likely blockbuster deal before the deadline is Sandy Alcantara being traded to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs, desperate for rotation stability behind Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd, have the prospect capital and the motivation to make a bold move. Their rotation ranks in the bottom third of the league in both ERA and innings pitched, and with a wide-open NL Central, adding Alcantara could be the difference between a playoff berth and another disappointing finish[3].
Projected Trade Proposal
Marlins receive:
- Cade Horton
- Owen Caissie
Cubs receive:
- Sandy Alcantara
This package gives the Marlins a true centerpiece in Horton, a power-armed righty with frontline starter potential. Caissie brings left-handed power and on-base skills, ready to step into Miami’s outfield immediately.
For Miami, moving Alcantara is about maximizing value and aligning the roster with the franchise’s competitive timeline. Horton helps with a depleted pitching system, while Caissie provides a much-needed bat for an anemic lineup. The Marlins’ willingness to wait for the right offer ensures they won’t be forced into a deal that doesn’t move the needle for their rebuild.
For the Cubs, acquiring Alcantara is a statement of intent. With a rotation in flux and a division up for grabs, adding a proven ace under team control through 2027 could be the catalyst for a deep postseason run. Alcantara’s recent resurgence and postseason pedigree make him the ideal target for a team looking to win now and in the future.
This trade would send shockwaves across the league. The Marlins’ decision to move their ace signals a true commitment to rebuilding, and the return could reshape the organization’s trajectory for years to come. For fans, it’s a painful but necessary step, one that, if executed properly, could lay the foundation for sustained success in Miami.
As the deadline nears, expect Alcantara’s name to dominate the rumor mill. All signs point to a deal with the Cubs as the next big trade to get done, a move that will define the Marlins’ 2025 deadline and set the course for a new era in South Florida.
