It’s not a matter of if Sandy Alcantara will be traded, but when. And also where.
Try as he might, Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has been unable to quiet the growing buzz. Around Major League Baseball, the expectation is clear: at some point during the 2025 season, the Marlins will trade the ace right-hander.
As a small-market club unable to afford the more talented players it develops once they hit the true money-making stage, the Marlins have had several fire sales over the years. With the Phillies, Mets and Braves battling for NL East supremacy throughout the past several seasons, Miami again finds itself in that familiar role.
Between May and July of last season, the Marlins traded Luis Arráez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., A.J. Puk, Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers, Josh Bell and Bryan De La Cruz, while Jake Burger and Jesús Luzardo were dealt during the offseason. At this point, it would be irresponsible if Miami did not also find the best deal possible for its most valuable trade chip.
But it appears that the speculation will continue for another three months or so. In what should come as a surprise to nobody, Bob Nightengale of USA Today, in the news and notes section of a recent column, reported that the Marlins have no plans to make any move involving Alcantara until the last days before the July 31 trade deadline.
The 29-year-old – who was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals along with Magneuris Sierra, Zac Gallen and Daniel Castano for Marcel Ozuna on Dec. 13, 2017 – missed the entire 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on Oct. 6, 2023. Alcantara looked strong in spring training, giving up no earned runs on nine hits with 10 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. He has struggled a bit through his first four starts of the regular season, posting a 7.27 ERA and 1.92 WHIP through 17.1 innings, allowing 14 runs on 14 hits and 10 walks, while striking out 13.
Alcantara has two years left on a team-friendly contract that pays him an average annual value of $17 million, with a $21 million club option for 2027. If Alcantara is able to get back on track by the All-Star break, there will be plenty of suitors lining up when Miami is ready to make a deal.
Austin Gomber Optimistic Despite Ominous IL Move
Colorado Rockies fans may have been shaken by the news on Saturday that starting pitcher Austin Gomber was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL with left shoulder soreness. However, Gomber insisted that everything has gone according to plan as he works toward his 2025 debut.
"It doesn't really change anything with the time frame," Gomber stressed. "I've already been on [the IL] for close to 30 days. So for me, as far as my rehab, it doesn't really change anything we're doing."
Initially placed on the IL on March 24, Gomber received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection "about two weeks ago," and he has since followed an exercise routine that includes building up strength.
"There were no setbacks or anything like that," he said.
"I'm progressing normal. I just haven't started throwing yet. We're already about 30 days in and I haven't even touched the ball, so I think the math was that we weren't going to beat it back.
A big step for Gomber, who is eligible to return on May 23, will be when he goes on a minor league rehab assignment, but the team has yet to decide when that will happen.
"I think once I start throwing, it will be easier to get things scheduled out, like this many days, here, here, here, bullpen, live, BPs (batting practices), games and such," said Gomber, who will be a free agent after the 2025 season. "That process takes time for sure, but I'm feeling good. I'm feeling better, so I feel like I'm progressing."
Other former St. Louis Cardinals have also made news recently on the injury front.
The Washington Nationals placed infielder Paul DeJong on the 10-day injured list ahead of their April 16 loss to the Pirates, after he suffered a broken nose the night before. The injury occurred when a 93 mph fastball from Mitch Keller sailed up and struck DeJong in the face. DeJong spent the night in a Pittsburgh-area hospital for observation and was released the following day.
DeJong, who signed a $1 million free-agent deal over the offseason, began the season as Washington’s starting third baseman. He also filled in at shortstop while CJ Abrams was sidelined with a hip flexor strain. At the plate, DeJong was off to a slow start, hitting just .204/.246/.278 over his first 57 trips to the batter’s box.
On Saturday, the San Diego Padres announced that outfielder Jason Heyward was put on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his left knee. In 17 games with San Diego, the 35-year-old had posted a slash line of .190/.255/.286 in 42 at bats.
Heyward, who played the final month of the 2024 season with Houston after being released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in mid-August, signed a one-year contract with San Diego.
Also on Saturday, right-hander John Brebbia was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Detroit Tigers due to a right triceps strain. The 34-year-old reliever signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Detroit in February, and the Tigers hold a $4 million club option on his services for 2026.