MLB Trade Rumors Swirling Around Marlins Ace Sandy Alcántara

Rival executives expect Miami to trade the former Cy Young winner despite his hot start to the 2026 season.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 1:12pm

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The Miami Marlins have been one of the biggest surprises in Major League Baseball so far this season, but that hasn't stopped trade rumors from swirling around their ace pitcher Sandy Alcántara. According to reports, rival executives around the league fully expect the Marlins to trade the former Cy Young Award winner before the July 31 deadline, despite Alcántara's strong start to the year with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA.

Why it matters

Alcántara is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball when he's at his best, so his potential availability on the trade market would create a major shakeup ahead of the deadline. The Marlins will have to weigh whether to cash in on Alcántara's value now or try to build around him long-term, as he has a club option for 2027 but is set to hit free agency after this season.

The details

Alcántara, 27, is off to a blazing start in 2026, striking out 12 batters and tossing a complete-game shutout in his first 16 innings. However, with his contract expiring after this year and the Marlins still in rebuilding mode, rival executives believe Miami will ultimately decide to trade their ace for a significant prospect haul rather than risk losing him for nothing in free agency.

  • On April 3, the Marlins were ranked in the top 5 of SI.com's first power rankings of the 2026 season.
  • On April 5, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that rival executives expect the Marlins to trade Alcántara before the July 31 trade deadline.

The players

Sandy Alcántara

The Miami Marlins' ace pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner, who is off to a dominant start in 2026 with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA.

Miami Marlins

The surprising early-season contenders in the National League, who must decide whether to trade their star pitcher Alcántara or try to build around him long-term.

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What they’re saying

“They must decide whether to trade ace Sandy Alcántara, who is showing signs of his 2022 Cy Young form by starting the season with a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA, striking out [12] in [16] innings, including a three-hit, complete-game shutout in his last start against the Marlins.”

— Bob Nightengale, USA Today reporter

What’s next

The Marlins will have to weigh their options with Alcántara over the next few months, with the July 31 trade deadline looming. If they decide to move him, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are seen as two potential landing spots for the ace right-hander.

The takeaway

This early trade speculation around Sandy Alcántara highlights the difficult position the Marlins find themselves in, as they must balance their surprising start to the season with the long-term future of their franchise. Alcántara's impending free agency makes him a valuable trade chip, but Miami will have to carefully consider whether moving him is the best path forward for the organization.