Braves Predicted to Land Cy Young Winner in Blockbuster Trade

Potential deal would pair Sandy Alcantara with Chris Sale in Atlanta's rotation

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:27am

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The Atlanta Braves are reportedly exploring a blockbuster trade to acquire Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner. This move would bolster the Braves' starting rotation, which has been hit by injuries, and pair Alcantara with fellow ace Chris Sale. The Braves have financial flexibility after the suspension of designated hitter Jurickson Profar, allowing them to potentially take on Alcantara's $56 million contract.

Why it matters

The Braves are looking to solidify their pitching staff and make a deep postseason run. Acquiring Alcantara, a dominant right-hander, would give them one of the most formidable rotations in baseball, potentially featuring Alcantara, Sale, Spencer Strider, and the injured but promising Spencer Schwellenbach.

The details

The Braves have been in need of pitching help, especially after the injury to Schwellenbach, who was placed on the 60-day injured list with elbow inflammation. With the suspension of Profar, the team now has financial flexibility to potentially take on Alcantara's $56 million contract. Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, would be a major addition to the Braves' rotation and could help the team make a deep playoff push.

  • The Braves opened spring training with the news of Schwellenbach's injury.
  • Jurickson Profar was suspended for 162 games on March 13, 2026 after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time.

The players

Sandy Alcantara

The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, Alcantara is a dominant right-handed pitcher for the Miami Marlins.

Chris Sale

A veteran left-handed pitcher, Sale is the ace of the Atlanta Braves' rotation when healthy.

Spencer Strider

A promising young right-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.

Spencer Schwellenbach

A talented young right-handed pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who was recently placed on the 60-day injured list with elbow inflammation.

Jurickson Profar

The Atlanta Braves' designated hitter who was suspended for 162 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time.

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What they’re saying

“The surface-level appeal of trading for Alcantara at some point this year is understandable. Alcantara is a recognizable name who won a Cy Young in 2022 and who throws hard. He has also been a popular trade target in general for a few years now, so there is always going to be some conversation as to where Alcantara will end up among the teams that need pitching help.”

— Eric Cole, Writer (HTHB)

“Atlanta Braves designated hitter Jurickson Profar is facing a 162-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in the last year, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Profar, 33, is the sixth player to receive a 162-game ban for PED use since Major League Baseball increased the penalty for two-time offenders to a full season in 2014. He will forfeit the entirety of his $15 million salary.”

— Jeff Passan (ESPN)

What’s next

The Braves will need to negotiate a trade package with the Marlins to acquire Alcantara, and the team will also have to determine how to best integrate him into their rotation alongside Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and the injured Spencer Schwellenbach.

The takeaway

The potential acquisition of Sandy Alcantara would be a major coup for the Atlanta Braves, giving them one of the most formidable starting rotations in baseball. The move would solidify their pitching staff and provide them with the stability they need to make a deep postseason run.