Inside a Proposed Sandy Alcantara Trade: How the Marlins Could Respond

A Reasonable Start, But Not the Right Deal

Let's be clear: the idea of trading Sandy Alcantara before the trade deadline is still up in the air. He's the highest-paid player on a team that is in Year #2 toward a full-scale rebuild, but he still has some considerable trade value despite an 8.04 ERA in his first 47 innings back from Tommy John surgery. With two more years of team control, Alcantara is still not a guarantee to get traded come July 31st.

According to 'Clutch Sports' writer Garrett Kerman, he believes that the Baltimore Orioles would be the "best fit" for Alcantara, even though they are struggling in 2025. Baltimore's rotation has been riddled with injuries and inconsistency for the entirety of this season. However, their farm system remains deep enough to make a club-altering move like this one.

The Marlins could pitch that Alcantara still has crazy upside left in the tank; it's just a matter of a team finding that again, whether it's with the Marlins or a different team.

Proposed trade via Kerman -

Miami Marlins receive:

• Samuel Basallo, C/1B (Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, MLB Top 20 overall)
• Jud Fabian, OF (Orioles’ No. 24 prospect)
• Cade Povich, LHP

Baltimore Orioles receive:

• Sandy Alcántara, RHP

While intriguing, this package feels a bit light. Miami has a few names in the hat for "catcher of the future," so Basallo would be an extra body in that merry-go-round. If last year was any indicator, the market could likely be a seller's market once again, something that benefited Miami in their lone trade with the Orioles.

Now, Basallo is a legitimate centerpiece–MLB Top 20, elite power, catcher/first base versatility. But after him, the return thins out fast. Fabian, while athletic, profiles as a fourth outfielder and will likely be blocked by the plethora of talent that Miami has at the outfield position already (Kyle Stowers, Derek Hill, Griffin Conine, Dane Myers, etc). Povich might become a serviceable starter, but he lacks the ceiling to headline a franchise-altering trade.

For the Marlins to trade their ace, face of the franchise, and most valuable asset, the return has to be deeper and more transformative. If Trevor Rogers can produce Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers, then Sandy and the Marlins deserve a prospect heist. He is not just another trade chip; he is a guy who still has the potential to be a top-five or 10 pitcher in all of baseball.

A Trade That Actually Matches Alcantara's Worth

So let's reframe the deal. If I'm Miami, I'm calling Baltimore with a firmer counteroffer. One that reflects both what Alcantara has been and what he still can become.

Counter Proposal -

Miami Marlins receive:

• Samuel Basallo, C/1B (Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, MLB Top 20)
• Coby Mayo, 3B (Orioles’ No. 2 prospect, Top 20 overall)
• Cade Povich, LHP

Baltimore Orioles receive:

• Sandy Alcántara, RHP

This deal upgrades Miami's return in a meaningful way. Basallo remains the headliner, but adding Coby Mayo transforms this from a solid package into a true franchise-shifting haul. Mayo's bat has 25+ homer potential and could become the long-term solution at one of the corner infield positions. Povich stays as a controllable arm who can help the team as soon as the 2026 season starts.

Baltimore can afford it. Their system is loaded, and with a clear need for rotation help, Alcantara fits like a glove–especially at his current price point. If he even flashes his 2022 form again, this is a steal for a team trying to win now.

The original trade proposal gets the conversation started, but this counteroffer is what it would take to make the trade worthwhile for Miami. Two top-20 bats and a useful arm? That's the type of deal that gets a rebuild done faster.