MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Linked To Former Cy Young Winner
With the MLB Trade Deadline coming up next week, Craig Breslow and the Boston Red Sox have made it clear that they’re looking to add starting pitching. While they already have a bona fide ace at the top of their rotation in Garrett Crochet, they’d ideally like to add a strong No. 2 starter to slot in behind him.
One name the Red Sox have been recently linked to is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara. According to a report from MassLive’s Sean McAdam on Friday (subscription required), Boston has reached out to the Marlins in recent days about Alcántara, but has yet to discuss any names in potential trade packages.
A two-time All-Star, Alcántara was recently considered one of the best pitchers in baseball. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022, going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 8.0 WAR over 228 2/3 innings.
Alcántara underwent Tommy John surgery in late 2023, however, causing him to miss the entire 2024 season. He’s struggled this year in his first season since the operation, going 5-9 with a 6.66 ERA and -1.5 WAR in 20 starts.
Alcántara is coming off his best start of 2025, however, so he may be showing signs of turning things around. He went a season-high seven innings against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, allowing just one unearned run and striking out four in his first victory since June 22.
The 29-year-old righty is still under team control through 2026 and has a team option for 2027, so he wouldn’t be just a rental. While he hasn’t looked like himself this year, he could still be an asset next season if he bounces back, similar to how Lucas Giolito has rebounded for the Red Sox this year after missing all of 2024.
With Alcántara struggling, his trade value isn’t as high as it normally would be, which may allow Boston to get him at a relative discount. However, Miami could wait and try to move him this offseason or next summer if nobody meets its asking price.
The Marlins would likely seek prospects in return to help with their ongoing rebuild, as they are on pace for their fourth losing season in the last five years.