Apr 1, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

MLB Trade Rumors: What Would It Take for the Mets to Land Sandy Alcantara?

“It would be one of the best trades that we could have" - Juan Soto on the possibility

Apr 1, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

As the summer heat builds, one name continues to simmer in trade rumors across the baseball landscape: Sandy Alcantara. The Miami Marlins’ ace, who was spectacular against the Mets on Tuesday night with five efficient innings of two-run ball, has become the object of desire for contending teams, perhaps none more so than the New York Mets.

Sandy Alcantara, 29, is showing promising signs of returning to form after Tommy John surgery sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 campaign. The two-time All-Star and 2022 Cy Young Award winner has posted a 3.72 ERA with 11 strikeouts across his first 9.2 innings this season. His performance Tuesday was particularly impressive, allowing just three hits and no walks while requiring only 70 pitches to navigate five frames, retiring his final eight batters in succession.

Sandy Alcántara, Filthy 90mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/xmTM58qqKu
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 1, 2025

This glimpse of his pre-surgery excellence has only intensified speculation about his availability. With the Marlins seemingly far from contention, their front office might be willing to entertain offers for their most valuable asset, who remains under team control through 2026 with a club option for 2027. Rumors suggested that the Marlins would also place an innings limit on Sandy Alcantara to make sure he’s fit enough to compete in the postseason if an eventual trade falls through. Though this was denied by their skipper.

For the Mets, the need for a frontline starter is increasingly apparent. With Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas already dealing with injuries, the rotation lacks the stability a championship contender requires. Adding a pitcher of Alcantara’s caliber would immediately address this vulnerability.

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The team’s stars recognize the potential impact. Juan Soto didn’t mince words when discussing the possibility with the New York Post: “It would be one of the best trades that we could have. I know we have great pitching here, but adding a Cy Young winner like that would be huge.”

Francisco Lindor echoed this sentiment: “It would almost be like adding Soto. You add Soto, it’s going to help the team. You add Alcantara and it’s going to help the team.”

MLB Trade Rumors: Sandy Alcantara Mock Trade Packages

As Soto candidly acknowledged, “It’s going to take a lot to get him.” But what exactly constitutes “a lot” in this scenario?

Baseball insiders suggest the Marlins would likely demand a package centered around multiple top prospects from the Mets’ improving farm system. One potential framework might include:

Package Option 1:

SS Jett Williams (Mets’ No. 2 prospect)
RHP Nolan McLean (No. 5)
INF Luisangel Acuña (No. 7)
RHP Nate Dohm (No. 19)

Package Option 2:

2B/3B Brett Baty
SS Jett Williams (No. 2)
OF Drew Gilbert (No. 11)
RHP Blade Tidwell (No. 16)

Either package would represent a significant investment in future talent, but for a pitcher of Alcantara’s caliber, under reasonable contract control for multiple seasons, the cost might be justified.

Alcantara’s current deal pays him $17.3 million annually through 2026, with a club option worth $21 million for 2027. This relatively team-friendly structure adds to his appeal as a trade target.

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There’s also precedent for players signing extensions with their new teams after trades, as seen recently with Garrett Crochet and the Boston Red Sox. A similar arrangement could potentially keep Alcantara in Queens beyond 2027 if both parties were amenable.

Why Mets May Be Real Contenders for Sandy Alcantara

Several factors make this potential deal more than just fantasy baseball speculation:

The Mets have a clear need for rotation stability
They possess the prospect capital necessary to complete such a deal
Owner Steve Cohen has demonstrated a willingness to do whatever it takes to win
Alcantara’s contract situation offers good value
The Marlins appear to be in a selling position

“If he goes to a team that has a chance to compete at the end, I think you are going to see who he is,” Soto observed. “He is doing that on a team that has no serious chance to go to the playoffs, but he keeps trying and competing even without run support. Whenever he goes to a winning team you are going to see what Sandy Alcantara is capable of.”

Marlins

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Sandy Alcantara

Mohsin Baldiwala

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Mohsin Baldiwala is a Master’s student in Journalism and freelance content producer who got hooked on baseball through Seinfeld’s hapless George Costanza. The same reason why he’s a Yankees fan. He writes about sports because he believes it can offer a brief escape from the world’s chaos. Even if that means enduring the heartbreak of the 2024 World Series.