Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Reunion With Ace Would Solve Miles Mikolas Problem

The Cardinals need to replace Miles Mikolas...
Zach Pressnell|
Jun 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Jun 15, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas (39) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

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The St. Louis Cardinals look like legitimate contenders this season. They're no longer being looked at as pretenders because they've just gotten better as the season has gone on.

But that doesn't mean they don't have gaping holes on their roster. In fact, the starting rotation needs help in the worst way possible. To get specific, Miles Mikolas has been an issue in the Cardinals' rotation for quite some time now. Recently, luck hasn't gone his way and he's been tagged for multiple earned runs in each of his last seven starts.

It's clear the Cardinals need to replace him, but the solution might not be as clear.

One of the options the Cardinals could pursue is a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins to reunite with ace Sandy Alcántara. The righty originally came to the big leagues with the Cardinals before being dealt to Miami. Now, St. Louis could look to bring him back.

Alcántara struggled in his first few starts back on the mound, but looked to return to his Cy Yung form as June began. After putting together four solid starts, Alcántara has began to struggle again.

At the end of the day, this is a high risk, high reward idea and it's something St. Louis should consider. With the righty having multiple years of affordable team control left on his contract, the Cardinals would be able to use him this season and beyond. That's important because the Cardinals' true World Series window likely doesn't open too wide for another year or two.

If they can secure Alcántara and help him return to form, it would be the biggest upgrade over Mikolas the Cardinals could realistically make right now.

More MLB: Cardinals Linked To Huge Trade For $45 Million Ace

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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