Inside The Cardinals

Ex-Cardinals $56 Million Ace Might Not End Up Traded After All

Sandy Alcántara is an intriguing trade chip...
Zach Pressnell|
Jul 4, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) catches the baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jul 4, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) catches the baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sandy Alcántara has been at the center of a lot of trade buzz this season, but he hasn't been traded yet. To this point, the Miami Marlins are likely fielding trade offers for the righty, but it doesn't seem like a deal is close.

While the righty has sat on the trade block, he's struggled to produce at a high level. The former Cy Young winner got off to a slow start and hasn't consistently found his footing. While many have suggested he'd be traded no matter his production on the year, that's not the unanimous belief around the league.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently reported the Marlins may not want to trade Alcántara this season if the righty continues to struggle. Instead, Miami could hold onto him into the offseason.

"Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara may not be traded if he continues to struggle," Nightengale wrote. "He is yielding a 7.22 ERA this season, and has allowed 19 earned runs in the last 18 innings for a 9.50 ERA."

This idea makes sense for the Marlins, and it could line the Cardinals up for a potential reunion.

St. Louis could emerge as a suitor for Alcántara if he's traded in the offseason. The Cardinals will likely be moving on from Erick Fedde and Miles Mikolas in the offseason. While they have some prospects who could fill in, a trade for their former top pitching prospect could make more sense.

Either way, the Marlins might not look to trade the righty this season. If he continues to struggle, this idea could quickly turn to reality.

More MLB: 'Aggressive' Blue Jays Could Pursue Trade For Cardinals $81 Million Star

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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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