Red Sox Get Unfortunate Trade Update On Cy Young Award-Winning Target

Garrett Crochet was the ace the Red Sox envisioned when they acquired him. However, the team may be interested in bringing more help to the starting rotation.

Craig Breslow recently noted that if the Red Sox add a starting pitcher, it will be someone who can slot in near the top of the rotation. One potential target, Sandy Alcántara, is reportedly not on the trade block, despite many thinking he would be.

“Teams have inquired about trying to acquire former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, but owner Bruce Sherman has told several staff members he definitely plans to have him on the roster at the start of the 2026 season,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported on Thursday.

Alcántara would be a pitcher the Red Sox could slot in behind Crochet in the starting rotation. He won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022 and is a two-time All-Star. Alcantara struggled in 2023, missed all of 2024 and was not great last season, coming off Tommy John surgery. However, the right-hander showed flashes of his former self.

He finished out the year on a high note and may have restored some trade value. Alcantara had a 2.68 ERA in his final eight starts and went at least six innings in each of those starts, showing signs of being the workhorse he was in 2022.

However, the Marlions are likely thinking about what they could get for him at the trade deadline if he starts off playing well next year.

Alcantara signed a five-year, $56 million extension with the Marlins in 2021. When he’s pitching well, he is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. A full year removed from Tommy John surgery, he could be ready to once again dominate on the mound.

He is the type of pitcher the Red Sox could be looking for, and is only set to make $17 million next season. He has a $21 million club option for 2027 as well. He could still be moved at the trade deadline, but the Red Sox may already pivot and add a different arm by then.

In recent years, the Marlins have traded away Jazz Chisholm Jr., Tanner Scott and Jesús Sánchez in the middle of the season. Alcántara could be the next Marlins star to be moved near the trade deadline.