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It’s no secret that the Chicago Cubs need to address the starting rotation at the MLB trade deadline.
They have a path to World Series contention with their young, talented roster of offensive stars. Currently, an inadequate rotation and bullpen, which the Cubs intend to prioritize in the trade market, are blocking the road.
Chicago did provide encouraging news on Shota Imanaga, who could return to the rotation as soon as the road series against the St. Louis Cardinals later this month.
More News: Two Chicago Cubs Superstars Named Among Top Defensive Players in MLB
That’s not enough for a postseason run. The Cubs could make the playoffs with their current roster. But they’ll waste the berth without adding another starter.
Several players from teams that are likely to sell could be good fits for Chicago, but MLB insiders generally agreed that the best fit was Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.
That changed after a rough start to the 2025 campaign continued, to the point where it was reported that the Marlins would hold onto Alcantara and elect to trade him once he returns to form.
More News: Chicago Cubs Can Bolster Rotation with Trade for New White Sox Starter
The only people who know what the Marlins plan to do with Alcantara are Miami’s front office, but the latest update suggests he could very well be in play.
MLB.com recently reported that Alcantara is expected to be the new headliner of the trade deadline after the blockbuster trade by the San Francisco Giants for Boston Red Sox DH Rafael Devers.
“Barring a surprise… Alcantara is likely to be the biggest name in the pitching market moved prior to the deadline. He should command a sizable return, even amid a down year, since he is under club control through 2027 and stands out in what looks to be a relatively thin starter market,” MLB.com writes.
More News: Chicago Cubs Starter Jameson Taillon's Strong Stretch Hints at Career Season
Bob Nightengale of USA Today also reported on the boost of Alcantara’s value, returning him to the No. 1 trade piece on the market.
While Alcantara has only made two starts in June, they suggest a return to his play that garnered 2022 NL Cy Young Award honors.
Entering play on June 16, Alcantara has gone 3-7 in 13 starts with a 7.14 ERA. He's carried a 1.50 ERA through his two June starts.
With his 97.6 mph fastball and command returning for Alcantara following a struggling recovery from Tommy John surgery in 2024, teams are expected to make a play for that upside.
The Cubs must consider being one of them. Alcantara's postseason experience is vital to the rotation as they aim to not just make the World Series, but to win it.
For more Cubs news, head over to Cubs On SI.
More must-reads:
- Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
- All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
- The 'Multiple 100-RBI MLB seasons' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Athletics' Nick Kurtz makes MLB history vs. Astros
Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz already had an impressive start to his career. Kurtz entered Friday having posted a .288/.360/.622 batting line in 265 plate appearances, hitting 19 homers and 17 doubles. Despite making his major league debut on April 23, Kurtz has been the A's most valuable player, leading the team with 2.6 bWAR. He appeared to be on the cusp of becoming the superstar the A's needed to sell the team to the residents of Las Vegas. That performance set the stage for what may have been the most impressive game for any rookie in major league history. Kurtz became the 20th player in MLB history to have a four-home run game and the first rookie to achieve that feat. Kurtz's performance also put the 2025 season into baseball history. Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez had a four-home run game on April 26, making this the third time that there have been two four-homer games in a season. That had happened in 2002 (outfielders Mike Cameron and Shawn Green) and 2017 (utility man Scooter Gennett and left fielder J.D. Martinez). Kurtz did not stop with those four homers. He was 6-6 in the A's 15-3 victory over the Astros, with a double and eight runs batted in. The favorite to win the AL Rookie of the Year award, Kurtz put an emphatic stamp on an already impressive season with his barrage on Friday.
Nick Saban responds to speculation about coaching return amid NFL rumors
Shortly after former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current college football analyst Greg McElroy shared that someone "in the know" believes there's a possibility Nick Saban — who retired in January 2024 — might return to coaching, NFL insider Albert Breer suggested that the Dallas Cowboys could be a potential destination for the seven-time national champion. According to Mike Rodak of 247Sports, Saban was asked during a Friday appearance on Fox News if he intends to come out of retirement. "No, I'm really happy with what I'm doing right now," Saban responded. "It's exciting to still be involved in the game. It's exciting for me to work with athletic directors, conference commissioners, people in Congress to preserve the integrity of our game and continue to be able to create opportunities to help young people create value for their future that will help them be successful in their life, which is what we always try to do as a coach." Saban, now working as an ESPN analyst, will be 74 in October. Per Christian Datoc of the Washington Examiner, President Donald Trump could consider having Saban "lead a new commission examining problems arising with the growth of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights and coinciding changes to the NCAA transfer process." Meanwhile, it's thought that Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones could look to hire a big-name candidate if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer fails to impress during the 2025 campaign. Additionally, Fox Sports personality Colin Cowherd recently hinted that Saban could be interested in becoming the head coach of the Cleveland Browns if the team selects Texas quarterback Arch Manning as the first pick in the 2026 draft. "There is no opportunity that I know of right now that would enhance me to go back to coaching," Saban added during Friday's segment. "I enjoy what I'm doing. I did it for 50 years. I loved it. I loved the relationships with the players. I loved the competition. But it's another station of life now. I enjoy what I'm doing right now and want to continue to do it — spend more time with my family, my grandchildren, my children. It's been really, really good." The "right now" portion of Saban's comments attracted the attention of Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, who was quick to point out he did not say "no for good" regarding a return to coaching. In short, it seems that rumors about Saban's future could hover over the college and pro football communities through at least the rest of the year.
Warriors' Stephen Curry believes NBA players are 'underpaid'
Are NBA players underpaid? Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry argues yes. The greatest shooter in NBA history said Thursday on Complex’s “360 With Speedy” that because the league’s current CBA doesn’t allow for current players to invest in league and team equity, players are leaving money on the table. “I would say, yes, we are underpaid,” Curry admitted when asked, despite enormous salaries, if the players were getting short-changed, “because you wanna be able to participate in that rise [of equity].” “It’s a partnership with ownership, [and] it’s a partnership with the league,” the 37-year-old stressed, revealing that league salaries do not reflect players’ impact on team valuations. If anyone has the right to begrudge the current CBA on player participation in equity, it’s Curry. When drafted in 2009, the Warriors were worth $315 million. Current valuations in May of 2025 have the team at $9.4 billion, the most in the league. Curry’s been paid handsomely during his time in Golden State, and he doesn’t overlook it. “I know we’re blessed to be in a position where we’re playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of checks that people are earning,” he told Complex. However, when he signed his $62.6 million one-year extension in 2024 that would keep him in a Warriors’ jersey until 2027, many felt that no amount of money the franchise could offer him would represent his worth. Curry had an undeniable impact on the Warriors’ valuation increasing by nearly 3,000%. He’s benefited by being the most salaried player on the roster and plenty of endorsement deals. But is he getting his fair share? Something similar may happen with reigning NBA Finals MVP and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who just signed the richest contract in league history with an average annual value of $71.25 million. According to Forbes, the Thunder’s valuation increased 20% from 2023 to 2024 and will likely take another jump after this year’s championship. Curry concedes that player participation in equity isn’t a simple concept and not all markets are created equal: “You got competitive advantage considerations…and want every market to have a fair chance, like I get all that.” He believes, however, that finding a solution is a “mutually beneficial proposition” for players, teams and the league. Even the most expensive people in the world need to find other investors to make owning an NBA team possible. The best example of Curry’s point is the Boston Celtics sale in March. The most-championed franchise in league history was sold to Bill Chisholm for $6.1 billion, the largest ever sports franchise sale in North America at the time. Chisholm needed Rob Hale, Bruce Beal Jr., and private equity firm Sixth Street, to afford the purchase. Because team ownership is already a multi-investor operation, the league could potentially come to an agreement with the players by the next CBA negotiation at the end of the decade. If not, the league's best players will continue to simultaneously earn a ridiculous amount of money, and it will not be nearly enough.
2024-25 Los Angeles Lakers Player Review: Jalen Hood-Schifino
The Los Angeles Lakers took an upside swing on Jalen Hood-Schifino with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, hoping the Indiana lead guard could develop into a ball-handler and playmaker. Hood-Schifino showed promise in college as a freshman, though the understanding was that it would take time for him to develop at the professional level. It was a curious selection at the time given that the Lakers have never operated with a lead guard like Hood-Schifino while LeBron James was on the roster. Also, players like Jamie Jaquez Jr. and Cam Whitmore were still available on the board when Los Angeles decided to go with Hood-Schifino. Suffice to say, Hood-Schifino’s rookie year in Los Angeles was muted as he failed to see the floor and saw his season cut short due to a back injury. Entering his sophomore season, there was some optimism that the guard could show more of what he could do with better health. Unfortunately, it was more of the same for the young guard as he failed to crack head coach JJ Redick’s rotation and found himself riding the bench. Hood-Schifino did end up being a useful piece for Los Angeles, though it came in the form of a trade as he was a part of the three-team deal that brought the purple and gold Luka Doncic. Hood-Schifino was sent to the Utah Jazz but did not appear in a game for them as he was subsequently waived. He went on to sign a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers and finished the 2024-25 season with the organization. It was a disappointing end to Hood-Schifino’s short tenure with Los Angeles, but the guard now gets an opportunity to develop behind the scenes with another team. 2024-25 Highlight While Hood-Schifino only appeared in two games for the Lakers during the regular season, he got more minutes for a ravaged 76ers team that was looking to tank in the second half of the year. After signing his two-way deal, Hood-Schfino went on to score a career-high 19 points in a win against the Dallas Mavericks. He had his most complete game later in the regular season when he recorded 18 points, five assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block in a loss to Toronto Raptors. 2025-26 Outlook Hood-Schifino will likely see more time in the G League when Philadelphia is fully healthy, though he could get called up to serve as depth throughout the year.
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