MLB Trade Deadline: Sandy Alcantara Buzz Takes Fresh Turn Days After Bold Update on “High-Cost” Star

As the MLB trade deadline is coming quickly, the name of Sandy Alcantara has been making waves in ways no one anticipated. A few months ago, the star was considered untouchable, a vital pillar of the Marlins’ future. However, with the team’s growing list of trade candidates and his inconsistent 2025 season, the market for Sandy Alcantara has shifted dramatically, with teams now questioning his value compared to other potential targets.

“The Sandy Alcantara market is picking up drastically and now looks like there is a real chance he gets traded by Thursday,” says Jim Bowden of The Athletic. Despite the uphill battle the star has had this season, teams are still targeting him as a powerful game-changer for the right price. So, how will the Marlins navigate this tricky situation, and who will pull the trigger to bring in the former Cy Young winner?

The Marlins’ trade rumors were once dominated by Alcantara, a Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star; however, the tides have shifted. Marlins’ high-cost star, Edward Cabrera, has become the talk of the town of trade interaction, as teams have begun to prioritize Cabrera over Alcantara.

Current discussions highlighted that Edward Cabrera has become a more coveted asset than his veteran counterpart, largely because teams think Sandy Alcantara could need more time to return to form after his surgery-induced struggles. “Edward Cabrera has become more coveted than Sandy Alcantara, who teams believe might take an offseason to fix,” ESPN reported, drawing attention to that unexpected pivot in the Marlins’ trade approach.

While Sandy Alcantara’s 2025 issues—including a disappointing 6.66 ERA over 20 starts—have put the star’s trade value under scrutiny, some still believe in his power. Some teams are willing to take a chance on the former ace, betting that Alcantara’s best seasons are far from behind him. What’s more, his deal runs through 2026, with an option for 2027, making the star a powerful long-period investment for any team looking to bolster its rotation. Alcantara’s vintage outing against the Padres—seven scoreless innings—highlighted flashes of the brilliance that earned the veteran his Cy Young award. Yet, with a 10.06 ERA on the road this season, teams could hesitate to deal for him unless the price is right.

One team that is predicted to target Alacantara is the Red Sox. As per Sean McAdam of MassLive.com, the Red Sox discussed a trade with the Marlins involving Sandy Alcantara. Although no names have been exchanged yet, as per Adams, Alcantara is already ready in anticipation of an eventual move, per MLB insider Hector Gomez.

However, with Alcantara’s future still hanging in the balance, the Marlins have made a headline-grabbing move of their own—pulling off a vital trade with the Rays that is now stealing the spotlight.

Rays Trade for Marlins Catcher Nick Fortes After Dealing Jansen

The Rays have been making moves as the trade deadline approaches, shaking things up in the team’s catcher position. Just one day after parting ways with Danny Jansen in a trade with the Brewers, the Rays turned to the Marlins to add a new star behind the plate. Nick Fortes, a 28-year-old catcher, was signed in exchange for minor league outfielder Matthew Etzel. That move comes at a vital point as the Rays look to fine-tune the roster ahead of the postseason push.

While Fortes is not a household name, the star’s current performance with the Marlins—hitting .300 over the final 29 games—has shown promise. However, Forte’s career batting average of .225 over 363 games highlights that there is more work to be done if the star is to make an impact for the Rays. With the trade deadline just around the corner, the Rays are thinking that Fortes can find a spark in his new environment.

In contrast, Etzel, the outfielder heading to the Marlins, has faced his issues this season, landing on the injured list back in June. The star had an elite start to the season, batting .230 with five homers and 34 RBIs in 56 games with Double-A Montgomery. While he has been traded twice in two seasons, the Rays have seen enough power to make the swap. The Rays will be watching closely as the 2 stars adjust to their new teams and the deadline moves continue to unfold. The big concern now is whether Fortes can shake off his inconsistent past and thrive in his new role for the Rays.

As the 2025 MLB trade deadline quickly approaches, the Marlins find themselves in a delicate balancing act. While Alcantara’s future remains uncertain, the aim has shifted to rising star Cabrera, whose trade value has soared in recent weeks. With the Rays making vital roster transformations and the Marlins reshuffling their assets, it is clear that this trade deadline could bring vital shifts in team dynamics.

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