BREAKING: Red Sox Shocking Trade Lands Former NL Cy Young Award Winner For five-year, $56 million Deal

The Boston Red Sox bolstered their starting rotation this offseason by adding 2024 AL All-Star Garrett Crochet and two-time NL All-Star Walker Buehler.

Now, they are being linked to 2022 NL Cy Young winner and two-time All-Star Sandy Alcantara.

In a Thursday article, Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller projected where top trade candidates might land for the 2025 season. Among those expected to be on the move is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.

After appearing in 14 games (six starts) between 2017 and 2018 with the St. Louis Cardinals and Marlins, the Dominican right-hander had a breakout season in 2019. Despite a 6-14 record, he posted a solid 3.88 ERA and earned his first All-Star selection. He continued to perform well in 2020 and improved even further in 2021.

Although his 9-15 record reflected Miami’s struggles, Alcantara recorded a strong 3.19 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 201 strikeouts. His stellar 2022 campaign saw him go 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts—all career highs—while leading the league with six complete games (including one shutout) and 228 2/3 innings pitched. He also topped all NL pitchers in WAR (8.0).

Alcantara’s performance dipped in 2023, as he finished 7-12 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.21 WHIP before being sidelined in September with a forearm injury. He underwent Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2024 season, but he aims to return strong in 2025.

Miller noted that while the Marlins have insisted they have no plans to trade Alcantara, there is speculation he could be moved before the 2025 trade deadline. He suggested Miami may have dismissed trade talks early to avoid lowball offers, hoping Alcantara can rebuild his value in the first half of the season and command a better return in July.

There’s a ‘Good Chance (Alcantara’s) on The Move This Summer’

Alcantara remains under team control in Miami through 2027, having signed a five-year, $56 million extension in 2021. However, most of that salary is concentrated in the final three seasons, with the 29-year-old set to earn $17.3 million in both 2025 and 2026 before a $21 million club option kicks in for 2027.

“If he performs in the first half of 2025 like he did for most of 2022, hoo boy, the bidding war will be fierce for what would at that point be 2.33 seasons of his services at an overall dollar cost of $44 million,” Miller wrote. “Considering the skyrocketing prices for starting pitchers in free agency, 2.33 years of Alcantara would normally cost nearly double that. Based on the contracts signed by Corbin Burnes and Blake Snell this winter, that percentage of their deals would amount to $81.5 million to $84.8 million. With that type of discount, teams would be willing to part with significant prospect capital.”

Boston has one of the most talented farm systems in baseball, featuring a “Big Three” of prospects—Kristian Campbell, Marcelo Mayer, and Roman Anthony. If the Red Sox are willing to part with any of them, they could be a strong contender for Alcantara should he become available.

Miller also noted that Alcantara’s trade availability could depend on his performance and Miami’s standing in the playoff race. “Now, if he struggles or if the Marlins are a contender — one of those scenarios is substantially likelier than the other — that changes things,” he wrote. “But there’s a good chance he’s on the move this summer to a team with A) multiple top-100 prospects, B) realistic World Series hopes within the next three years, and C) some financial flexibility.”

Other Teams Have Been Linked to Alcantara

Even if the South Beach ace finds himself in trade discussions this summer and the Red Sox remain in contention, they may face stiff competition for his services.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets have also been linked to Alcantara this offseason.

The Dodgers’ rotation—and their entire roster—is stacked, featuring two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, 2024 All-Star Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani (once he resumes pitching). However, given their aggressive approach, there’s no guarantee the reigning champions are finished bolstering their squad as they chase the first back-to-back World Series titles in over two decades.

MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger even predicted during December’s Winter Meetings that Alcantara would land in Los Angeles. While that move hasn’t materialized yet, the Dodgers shouldn’t be ruled out.

Meanwhile, the Mets boast an elite lineup led by Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso, but their rotation lacks a true ace. Alcantara, who has spent most of his career in the NL East, has extensive experience pitching at Citi Field, where he has posted strong numbers. In eight appearances there, he has held opposing hitters to a .219/.271/.357 slash line across 211 plate appearances.

No matter how things unfold in 2025, Alcantara is expected to be one of the top pitchers involved in trade rumors once again.