The Miami Marlins make an important decision on an ace

The Miami Marlins seem to keep finding great arms for the rotation, but that doesn't mean that we want to see some established veterans get traded. We already saw some seeming franchise cornerstones get traded this year, and despite the reasons why, it makes us worried for others. What's the future going to be like for Sandy Alcantara? He's on his way back next season, but could he be traded by Peter Bendix as part of this sell-off? We now have our answer...

Sandy Alcantara is staying on the Miami Marlins!

Sandy Alcantara emerged as the face of the team for the Miami Marlins. He was virtually unhittable at some points of his career and he was the ace for years. He really broke out between 2020 and 2021, when he pitched to a 3.16 ERA/3.47 FIP, with 8.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 40 games and 247.2 innings pitched. He emerged as an ace during that time, but no one was ready for just how good he would become just a year later.

In 2023, Sandy Alcantara had a NL Cy Young winning season, as he pitched to a 2.28 ERA/2.99 FIP, with 8.1 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 32 games and 228.2 innings pitched. It was one of the greatest pitching performances of all time, and the greatest of any Miami Marlins starting pitcher. No one pitches that many innings these days.

Sandy wasn't the same last season, pitching to a disappointing4.14 ERA/4.03 FIP, with 7.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9, in 28 games and 184.2 innings pitched. It turned out that he was pitching injured, as he went under the knife for Tommy John Surgery after the season. He's under control for $17.3 million next season and in 2026. There is a $21 million team option on him for the 2027 season. Naturally, there was a lot of speculation that he'd be traded instead of paid. He made only $9.3 million while injured this season, and $6.3 million in 2024.

In great news, Sandy Alcantara was told by Miami Marlins management that he will NOT be traded this off-season! He's expected to take the ball on Opening Day as the team's ace. This is amazing news as I don't think any fan wanted him gone.