The Detroit Tigers are not expected to trade Tarik Skubal before the deadline, despite his contract situation, while the Los Angeles Dodgers may find greater value in targeting Sandy Alcantara. Alcantara, who is currently rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, has shown gradual improvement after missing much of the last two seasons. The Dodgers view the Sandy Alcantara Dodgers trade as a potential opportunity to strengthen their pitching staff by acquiring a former Cy Young winner at a lower cost.
Reasons Behind Sandy Alcantara’s Declining Trade Value
Alcantara’s trade value has been tempered mainly due to his injury history. Pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery carry inherent risk, as relapse or complications often occur. Despite these concerns, Alcantara has expressed a renewed confidence before spring training. He admitted that recovery takes time and acknowledged the mental challenges he faced amid external doubts.
“Coming back from TJ, you’re not going to do great since the first day,”
Alcantara said.
“You’ve got to be step by step. Mentally, I was thinking too much, people talking negative about myself. They don’t know that I was the best pitcher in 2022, but yeah, that’s the past. I know it, and I’ve just got to be able to be healthy this year, showing the people in Spring Training that I can do great and just got to keep believing, and those opportunities that this organization can give to me.”
– Sandy Alcantara, Pitcher
Looking at his recent seasons, Alcantara’s ERA rose significantly after 2022, moving from 2.28 that year to 5.36 in 2025, reflecting struggles post-surgery and playing for a weaker Miami Marlins team. These statistics have led to skepticism regarding how well he can rebound in 2026.
Financial and Strategic Benefits of Trading for Alcantara
The Dodgers’ front office, led by Andrew Friedman, has emphasized the current strength of their starting rotation, which makes acquiring a new frontline pitcher seem unnecessary at first glance. However, LA is known for pursuing excellence aggressively, and adding Alcantara could elevate their rotation from good to dominant. Their existing roster includes top-tier pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell, but depth remains a critical concern, especially given the injury histories spreading across the pitching staff.
Acquiring Alcantara presents a chance to secure a talented arm on an affordable contract with a club option for 2027, which could provide stability over the next two seasons. To finalize such a trade, the Dodgers might need to include promising prospects such as Sheehan and Tibbs III, both highly regarded in Los Angeles’ system. Miami would likely prefer a mix of prospects rather than a single player to balance their rebuilding efforts.
Dodgers’ Considerations Regarding the Trade
Despite a crowded rotation, the addition of Alcantara could enhance Los Angeles’ postseason chances. The depth of their pitching staff includes established and emerging stars like Blake Snell (2.35 ERA), Yoshinobu Yamamoto (2.49 ERA), Tyler Glasnow (3.19 ERA), and Shohei Ohtani, who contributed with a 2.87 ERA over 14 games. Meanwhile, prospects like River Ryan and Gavin Stone offer options but lack the experience of Alcantara’s caliber.
The Dodgers must be cautious about overspending, as Alcantara and the Marlins depend on Los Angeles more than vice versa. With the trade deadline approaching, the timing is crucial because Alcantara’s worth is expected to peak if he demonstrates improvement this season. Securing him could translate into at least two deep playoff runs, making the risk worthwhile for a team chasing a three-peat.
Miami Marlins’ Perspective on Trading Alcantara
The Marlins have arguably waited too long to trade Alcantara, whose value sharply dropped following his surgery. They were unlikely to keep him beyond his contract, so acting earlier could have yielded a better return. Miami now faces the choice of trading him to a team needing pitching depth mainly for his name recognition or holding out for a probable rebound by the deadline to maximize his market value.
Sheehan offers versatility as both a starter and relief pitcher, making him attractive to Miami for roster flexibility and cost control in the future. Tibbs III, a rapidly ascending prospect, has potential to compete in right field soon, which could strengthen Miami’s lineup in the coming seasons.
