While it’s still very early to start thinking about potential blockbuster trades, rumors will start to heat up on potential names who could be moved in the summer months. For the Toronto Blue Jays, given their World Series aspirations, expect Toronto to be a player and steadily linked to several top trade candidates.
One of the more highly coveted names that’s thought to be on the trade block is Marlins’ $56 million starter, Sandy Alcantara. He’s been the subject of trade rumors ever since winning the NL Cy Young award in 2022, but Miami has been hesitant to deal him away. A recent MLB mock trade by SI.com’s Patrick McAvoy features the Blue Jays dealing away two prospects and Jose Berrios in a trade package for Sandy Alcantara. A trade that would surely send shockwaves across MLB.
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Would this Trade Idea Benefit the Blue Jays?
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 07: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins throws a pitch during the first inning in the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 07, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
Here is the full trade package, as proposed by McAvoy:
“Toronto Blue Jays Acquire: RHP Sandy Alcántara
Miami Marlins Acquire: INF Arjun Nimmala (Blue Jays’ No. 3 prospect), RHP Jake Bloss (Blue Jays’ No. 8 prospect, RHP José Berríos”
“Alcántara is a former Cy Young Award winner who looks like he could win the award again this year. He has a 2.67 ERA in four starts and has a club option for 2027. Two seasons of a legit Cy Young Award contender would cost a lot. In this scenario, they give up a high-end infield prospect, a pitching prospect and a starter in Berríos.”
Jose Berrios has also been the subject of trade rumors for some time, and he’s yet to debut this season for the Blue Jays. Toronto currently has three key starters on the IL, which is why the Blue Jays have steadily been featured in these recent mock trades.
As for Sandy Alcantara, he’s off to a solid start in 2026 with a 3.06 ERA over five starts and 35.1 innings. The 35.1 innings lead MLB, and is an average of seven innings/start, which would benefit the Jays tremendously right now. Will he keep that pace? It’s unlikely, but his trade stock is certainly at an all-time high.
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Is the Blue Jays Slow Start a Reason to Panic in Toronto?
The whole reason MLB writer Patrick McAvoy proposes this trade is that the Toronto Blue Jays are struggling to open up the season.
Toronto is 7-13, and falling behind a bit in the AL East standings. Not to say that trading for Sandy Alcantara is the answer, but if the rotation woes continue, and Kevin Gausman doesn’t start being productive as a starter, wholesale changes might need to be made.
As for Jose Berrios being the centerpiece that heads to the Marlins, Berrios has been such a quality starter for the Blue Jays over the last several years, but his time in Toronto may have run its course. It will be interesting to see how the Blue Jays’ front office manages the rotation situation and if a meaningful trade is in the near future.
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Blue Jays Trade Idea Lands Marlins’ Highly Coveted $56 Million Starter for Jose Berrios