No. 1 Cubs Trade Target Coming Into Focus

The Cubs had a deal in place to acquire left-handed starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo from the Marlins back in December, but the trade ultimately fell through after the Cubs didn't like what they saw in the pitcher's medicals. Luzardo has proceeded to pitch extremely well for the Phillies, while the Cubs are desperately trying to fill a void in their starting rotation. Now, the Cubs have an opportunity to re-engage in talks with the Marlins as their No. 1 trade target is coming into focus.

At 37-22, the Cubs currently hold a four-game lead in the NL Central over the Cardinals, but they have bigger ambitions for the 2025 season. There's no guarantee that Kyle Tucker stays with the Cubs beyond 2025, Pete Crow-Armstrong is emerging into a star and the much-maligned bullpen has turned into a strength for manager Craig Counsell. The team features a top-three offense in baseball, but there's one glaring need that must be addressed at the trade deadline: starting pitching.

Justin Steele underwent season-ending elbow surgery and Shōta Imanaga is currently rehabbing in Arizona, ramping back up after suffering a hamstring strain last month. Through June 2, the Cubs rank 14th in MLB with a 3.86 ERA from their starting pitchers.

Jameson Taillon and Matthew Boyd have been steady, while young pitchers Ben Brown and Cade Horton continue to develop. Colin Rea deserves credit for filling in nicely, but if the Cubs want to be a serious championship contender this year, then they need to add another top of the rotation type arm.

ESPN's Jeff Passan pinpointed the best fit at the trade deadline for the Cubs and despite his bad results so far in 2025, Marlins' righty Sandy Alcántara remains the perfect target for Jed Hoye to go after.

Via ESPN.

Among Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs have a perfectly OK starting rotation to take into a playoff series. Considering the lineups they could face in the NL playoffs -- the Dodgers, Phillies, Mets and Diamondbacks, among others -- OK might not be enough. And that's not to say Alcántara would suddenly morph into a world-beater once he put on a Cubs uniform. He's just the kind of guy on whom teams in need take a risk.

The calculus here could change if Valdez or Gallen becomes available, but in terms of pitchers teams know will be available, Alcántara, even a slightly diminished version, is the best. With two more years of club control beyond this season, he slots nicely into the front of a rotation that lost Justin Steele to Tommy John surgery. And don't forget: The Cubs had a deal in place for Jesús Luzardo before medicals scuttled it. The teams are very familiar with one another's systems, and that always helps when trying to facilitate a trade.

Alcántara, 29, had Tommy John surgery following the 2023 season and missed the entire 2024 campaign. So far in 2025, Alcántara still has not returned to form, posting an 8.47 ERA in 11 starts. The former Cy Young Award winner is still averaging 97.5mph with his fastball, but unfortunately Alcántara hasn't locked back in since his extended layoff from the Tommy John surgery.

Yet, Alcántara has an established track record that shows why teams remain interested in acquiring him. From 2019, when he made 32 starts, through 2023, Alcántara was one of only five pitchers to throw more than 800 innings. He recorded a 3.30 ERA in 132 starts and during that stretch Alcántara struck out 200+ batters in two straight seasons, 2021-22.

Sometimes it tales pitchers a whole year to get back to their previous level, but even if that's the case with Alcántara the Cubs would still have him under team control for two more seasons. Alcántara will earn $17.3 million in 2026. His contract also includes a club option for 2027 that is worth $21 million.

Any trade is a gamble. Going after a pitcher coming off Tommy John surgery can be risky, but it's a risk the Cubs have to consider because a pitcher of Alcántara's ability is certainly a difference-maker in the starting rotation.

The Cubs entered the 2024-25 offseason needing to add star power to their lineup. That was accomplished by acquiring Kyle Tucker. Now, the Cubs need a top of the rotation pitcher and Alcántara could be their answer.