The Chicago Cubs have been a steady force in many trade rumors since Matthew Boyd’s injury. Despite the speculation, the Cubs are scorching hot in MLB right now, but as fans should remember from last year, it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish, and to avoid the starting pitcher trap, the Cubs should consider making an impactful trade.
Recently, FanSided.com writer Mark Powell proposed a trade for the Cubs to make where they send off three prospects to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Sandy Alcantara, who has emerged as the top trade candidate regarding a frontline ace this season.
Chicago has gone 8-2 in the last 10 games, but hasn’t been able to gain as much separation as you’d think with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers going 7-13 in the past week and a half. The Cubs are going back and forth with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in MLB.
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Cubs Trade Prediction Lands Sandy Alcantara
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins delivers against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot park on April 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Powell proposes that the Cubs could trade these three prospects for All-Star starter Sandy Alcantara:
Sandy Alcantara As a Starter
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 01:Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins reacts with teammates after pitching a complete game against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot park on April 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Sandy Alcantara has an ERA of 4.01 over eight starts this season. He’s a true innings-eater, but Alcantara has had to adjust his pitching style after a few different innings.
In the last four full seasons he’s played, Alcantara has made 28+ starts in all of them, and looks well on pace this season to do the same.
Over the course of his nine-year MLB career, Alcantara has an ERA of 3.67 over 1127 total innings. He won the NL Cy Young in 2022 for a truly dominant season.
For the Cubs, they are going to continuously be linked to all starting pitchers that surface in trade discussions, but as of now, unless the front office plans to call up any young arms, adding via the external market might be a must.
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