Will the Marlins trade Sandy Alcantara?

Over a third of the way through the Major League Baseball season, the Miami Marlins are right where they should be in their rebuild. 

The Marlins (27-34) are a half-game ahead of the New York Mets (26-34) in the National League East standings and will figure to be one of the major league's sellers at the August 3 trade deadline. Despite being a seller, the Marlins don't have many assets that would interest contending teams. 

The best asset the Marlins have to trade is right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who comes with one more year of team control after this season (a $21 million club option). A former Cy Young Award winner (2022) and a two-time All-Star, Alcantara would be a great addition to any contending team's starting rotation. 

Right-hander Pete Fairbanks could also be an option to be traded, given he's on a one-year ($13 million) contract. But his 7.04 ERA in 17 games (15.1 innings) and six saves (eight opportunities) could have teams second-guessing. 

Sandy Alcantara's struggles in May may have hampered his trade value for the Marlins

Alcantara came into 2026 two full seasons removed from Tommy John surgery, which cost him all of 2024 and hurt his numbers in 2025 (11-12 with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts). Entering the season looking to show he is still the same Cy Young pitcher, the 30-year-old posted a 3.57 ERA, struck out 26, and held opponents to a .234 batting average in April. 

Once the calendar flipped to May, Alcantara looked like he did last season in his first season back from major arm surgery. In five starts, Alcantara saw his ERA jump over 7.00 (7.39), posted a 1.61 WHIP and saw opposing hitters tee off against him (.328 batting average against). 

According to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the native Dominican could land the Marlins a decent haul in a trade package, even with his team control. 

"The Marlins have internal concerns that Alcantara may never regain that Cy Young form, but with a $17 million salary in 2026 and a $21 million club option for 2027, another club may be willing to acquire him, hoping a change of scenery can help him," wrote Feinsand. "The question will be how much the Marlins are asking in return for Alcantara, who is unlikely to bring back the same type of package he would have a year or two ago."

Has Marlins president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, changed his mind on trading Sandy Alcantara?

Three games into the season, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix was asked whether or not the team was fielding or would trade Alcantara. Bendix quickly shut down any questions regarding those questions, saying, "It's Game 3 of the season."

“It's not even April, so I understand where the questions are coming from," Bendix said to MLB.com's Christiana De Nicola in late March, "but until we get to the point of even considering trades, it's not really something that I have much to comment on, other than it's really great to see Sandy looking healthy, looking normal. It's Game 3 of the season.”

Two months into the regular season, and sitting at the bottom of the National League (fourth-worst team), Bendix may stand firm on that statement due to injuries in the starting rotation. Right-hander Eury Perez (right gracilis strain) not returning until late July could thwart any idea of Alcantara being traded.