Why the numbers say a reunion with Jacob Stallings could help Miami Marlins' ace Sandy Alcantara

The Miami Marlins’ 2025 season hinges on the performance of their franchise ace: former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. Whether the club ultimately trades him in a blockbuster deal or holds onto him as the centerpiece for a future core, the Fish must prioritize one goal: getting Alcantara back to his dominant self.

Alcantara’s career took a hit after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2023. He missed the entire 2024 season and now faces the uphill battle of shaking off rust and rediscovering his rhythm. Through his first four starts in 2025, the results have been underwhelming: a 7.27 ERA and -0.3 WAR. There have been flashes of promise, but clearly, something is still missing.

Post-surgery struggles are not unusual. In many ways, Alcantara is relearning how to pitch. While coaching, encouragement, and consistent innings will all play a role in his comeback, there’s another, more unconventional path the Marlins could explore—a reunion with catcher Jacob Stallings.

At first glance, Stallings—now 35 and the backup catcher for the Rockies—might not seem like an impactful acquisition. He’s hitting just .143 in limited at-bats and is well removed from his Gold Glove peak. But the rapport between Stallings and Alcantara is undeniable.

During their time together in Miami, the duo logged 413.1 innings—by far the most Alcantara has worked with any catcher. For comparison, Jorge Alfaro is a distant second with 185.2 innings. The results speak for themselves: among the five catchers with whom Alcantara has thrown at least 48 innings, his 3.11 ERA with Stallings is the lowest of the group.

That kind of familiarity could serve as a crucial comfort for a pitcher trying to find his form again. Stallings wouldn’t need to be the everyday starter—he could slide into a personal catcher role for Alcantara, while Nick Fortes and a mix of Liam Hicks and Rob Brantly handle duties the rest of the time.

The need is real. The history is there. And the cost would be minimal—a low-level prospect or cash considerations could likely get the deal done. Even a modest boost in Alcantara’s performance would make this move worthwhile.

The Marlins should seriously consider picking up the phone and calling Colorado. Reuniting Alcantara with the catcher he knows best might just be the spark he—and the team—needs.