Marlins Provide Three Tiers of Starting Pitching Trade Options For Red Sox

The Miami Marlins present an interesting group of starters for the Red Sox to eye. Former Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara has struggled this season, but his advanced stats suggest he's pitched better than his 7.22 ERA shows. Alcantara will be one of the top starting pitching targets at the deadline, with his success in the past and two additional years of team control.

Then the Marlins have young flame-thrower Edward Cabrera, who's anchored the Marlins' starting rotation this season with a 3.61 ERA. The 27-year-old is making less than $2 million in 2025 and isn't a free agent until 2029.

“Though Cabrera has been brilliant for nearly two months, the Marlins are listening on offers in part because past injury issues must be factored into any long-term decision,” Miami Herald's Barry Jackson wrote (h/t NESN.com). "Cabrera has been on the injured list 14 times in four-plus seasons, but his latest malady (right posterior elbow discomfort) probably won’t force him to miss a start, manager Clayton McCullough suggested before the All Star break."

Despite his injury history, the young starter has a lot of talent and quite some time under team control. Alcantara will likely be the Marlins' top trade piece, but Cabrera won't be far behind in value. Jackson reported the Marlins are actively listening to offers on the two starters, but will be patient to get what each is worth.

The third starting pitching trade option the Marlins provide is veteran starter Cal Quantrill. The eighth-year veteran doesn't have strong numbers on the season with a 5.62 ERA, but has started 18 games and pitched 81.2 innings in 2025. Quantrill is on a one-year contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

With the recent success of Giolito and Bello, the Red Sox could look at Quantrill to be a cheap add at the deadline if they can't get a top-level starter. Quantrill could work as the fourth option down the stretch and move to the bullpen for the playoffs. Although the veteran has averaged an ERA over five the last three years, in the previous three years, his ERA sat just below three.

The Red Sox have options at the deadline, and the Marlins provide three tiers of starters for Boston to look at. Whether the Red Sox throw their hat in the ring for one of the top-level guys or they settle for a cheaper rental, they should be busy at the end of the month.