MLB Insider Provides Two Non-Sandy Alcántara Options for Cubs

Alcántara has battled inconsistency and injuries after winning the 2022 NL Cy Young with a 14-9 record, a 2.28 ERA, and a 2.99 FIP. 2025 has been an all-time low for the 29-year-old, as he is 4-8 with a staggering 6.98 ERA, a 4.69 FIP, and 63 strikeouts to 34 walks.

Alcántara also leads all MLB pitchers with 62 earned runs on the year.

He is still supremely talented and could help this Cubs rotation, but there are safer, more reliable options out there.

One of which is Keller, who is under team control through the 2028 season and is putting together another respectable season on the mound for Chicago’s division rivals. Keller is 2-10, which is more of a testament to the Pirates’ inefficiencies than his, but he does sport a 3.90 ERA, a 3.33 FIP, and 77 strikeouts to 25 walks over 99 and 1/3 innings.

Houser has been solid for the White Sox over a limited sample size of seven starts and 42 and 2/3 innings. The 32-year-old is 3-2 with a 1.90 ERA and a 3.23 FIP.

The Cubs’ move for a starting pitcher will certainly weigh on price, and neither Keller nor Hauser should be overly expensive for Hoyer, should he take that route.