The Braves’ rotation needs help after losing Max Fried and Charlie Morton, and there’s an intriguing possibility on the market: Miami’s Sandy Alcantara.
The 2022 NL Cy Young winner could be available as the Marlins weigh their options. He’s working his way back from Tommy John surgery that cost him most of 2023, but that’s exactly why now might be the perfect time for Atlanta to strike.
What makes Alcantara particularly appealing is his team-friendly contract – he’s in the middle of a five-year, $56 million deal signed in 2021. His 3.32 career ERA and dominant 2022 season (2.28 ERA, 207 strikeouts, six complete games) show what he’s capable of when healthy.
The Braves’ current rotation depth is… let’s say uncertain. They’re looking at unproven arms like Ian Anderson, Bryce Elder, and prospects A.J. Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep. That’s a lot of question marks for a team with World Series aspirations.
“The Braves would do better to acquire a proven ace like Alcantara in the prime of his career,” writes Christopher Kline of FanSided.
Adding Alcantara to a rotation with Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, and Spencer Strider could give Atlanta the pitching depth they need. The Tommy John recovery adds some risk, but it also might make his acquisition cost more manageable than it would’ve been pre-injury.
With other rebuilding teams like the White Sox already moving pitchers (see: Garrett Crochet), the market for arms is active. The Braves might need to move quickly if theyve got their sights set on Alcantara.
