The Cubs have a “now or never” feel heading into the 2025 season, and their starting rotation needs help.
After trading for Kyle Tucker with just one guaranteed year of control, Chicago’s off to a promising 18-13 start that leads the NL Central. But their rotation was already questionable compared to other NL contenders before losing Justin Steele, their No. 2 starter, to a season-ending elbow tear.
By July, even if internal solutions emerge, the Cubs might be perfectly positioned to take a calculated gamble on a former Cy Young winner who’s struggling mightily.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly predicted Thursday that the Cubs would be the team to go “all-in” on acquiring Sandy Alcantara from the Marlins, assuming the right-hander can turn around his brutal 8.31 ERA through six starts.
“While the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and New York Mets are among the other contenders who could stand to add a front-line pitcher, the Cubs are the most motivated to be aggressive,” Kelly wrote.
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“President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer will have to give up more than he’s comfortable with to obtain Alcántara, but he would be getting a workhorse for up to three postseason runs.”
Alcantara, 29, has been hit hard in his return from Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2024 season. The biggest red flag in his stats is his walk rate, which has ballooned to 14.2 percent this season. If he can regain his command, there’s reason to believe he could return to his dominant form.
It’s not hard to see why Kelly believes the Cubs will have the urgency to pull the trigger on an Alcantara deal. With Tucker’s limited control and their current division lead, Chicago has every reason to be aggressive at the deadline. That’s where a high-upside arm like Alcantara comes in – he could be the difference-maker for a team with a closing championship window.
