After falling short in the World Series last season, the New York Yankees were considered the favorites in the American League heading into the new season. However, a series of injuries have made them more vulnerable, posing a challenge for a team with such a high payroll.
The loss of Gerrit Cole was the worst-case scenario for New York, and while it’s a tough blow, it’s now something the team has to contend with. Cole is out for the rest of the year following surgery, and his absence will be keenly felt.
That said, this is still the Yankees, a team renowned for their ability to bring in top-tier talent. While times may have changed, there’s still plenty of time to make a move, and the old Yankees would have jumped at the opportunity to do just that.
Today, there’s uncertainty around that, but if they want to prove they’re still the dominant force in baseball, Sandy Alcantara might be a potential target. Jack Rotolo of Last Word on Sports suggested the idea of trading for the highly valued right-hander, citing Cole’s injury as a reason to make the move.
“The Miami Marlins are expected to be among the worst teams in MLB this season, so they may be open to offers for their ace. After missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, Alcántara is showing signs of returning to his 2022 NL Cy Young Award form…
“The Yankees have a strong track record of trading for significant players from the Marlins, such as Giancarlo Stanton, Michael King, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and Nathan Eovaldi. If the Yankees can land Alcántara, they should go for it, even at a steep price,” Rotolo wrote.
Is Alcántara Available?
With the season about to begin for the Yankees and other teams in just a week, there’s little time left to make a deal. Alcántara hasn’t been traded yet, and it’s likely he won’t be moved until the trade deadline.
However, if the Yankees come in with an irresistible offer, the Miami Marlins might decide to trade their Cy Young Award winner sooner than expected.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Marlins currently have no plans to move him, complicating matters for the Yankees.
“The Marlins, who are typically open to trades, are saying that Alcántara won’t be going anywhere for now.
“Although Alcántara missed 2024 due to Tommy John surgery, he’s already hitting 101 mph in camp and has proven to be a fierce competitor. Acquiring him would be a major win. The lack of trade buzz around the former Cy Young winner indicates the Marlins may want to hold on to him — at least for the time being,” Heyman reported.
Conflicting Reports on Alcántara
Despite Heyman’s report, ESPN’s Jeff Passan indicated in early March that Alcántara will be on an innings limit. Given his past injury history, this could be why the Marlins are taking a cautious approach with him.
If the Yankees were to acquire him, this could actually work to their advantage, as Alcántara would be well-rested for a potential postseason push in the second half of the season.
“Teams are already speculating whether Alcántara will be available by the trade deadline, especially since the Marlins are not expected to be contenders and his contract runs through 2026 with a club option for 2027. He’ll be on an innings limit, particularly early in the season, which leaves open the possibility of him being fresh for October if necessary,” Passan wrote.
