Under normal circumstances, giving up valuable prospects for a pitcher with an ERA above 7.00 would seem absurd. But Sandy Alcantara, the Marlins’ right-hander, isn’t a typical case. Just a few seasons ago, he won the Cy Young Award, but this year has been rough—his first full season back after Tommy John surgery has seen his performance drop significantly, raising doubts about whether he can ever return to his dominant 2022 form.
Still, a new environment could help. The Yankees need rotation depth and have a track record of helping pitchers bounce back, which could make them a logical fit. Alcantara still has the same weapons: a pair of high-90s fastballs, a strong changeup, plus a slider and curveball. But despite his impressive pitch mix, the results haven’t been there. Through 18 starts, he’s managed only one scoreless outing and has been knocked around in several starts. His strikeouts are down, hard contact is up, and while his walk rate has improved a bit, his ability to pitch deep into games has vanished—he’s averaging just over five innings per start compared to more than six and a half last year.
Advanced stats suggest he might not be quite as bad as his ERA shows—his FIP and xERA are both under 5.00—but poor command and low confidence have been major problems. He’s shown some improvement with his control, but his confidence in his secondary pitches has wavered. He’s relied on his four-seam fastball too often, and hitters have punished him for it.
Fixing these issues isn’t as simple as just throwing more changeups—it requires buy-in from the pitcher. That’s where Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake could make a difference. Blake has a reputation for helping pitchers adjust their pitch mix and regain effectiveness, as seen with Carlos Rodón, who has used new pitch combinations to get back on track. If Alcantara trusts Blake’s guidance, he might regain some of his old form, especially if the Yankees reduce his four-seam fastball usage—something they’ve done with other pitchers.
Meanwhile, the Marlins are having a better-than-expected year under new manager Clayton McCullough, but they’re still likely sellers at the deadline. With few clear trade pieces, Alcantara stands out—though with his struggles, his value is at its lowest. The Marlins could keep him and hope for a stronger second half to raise his value for a future trade, but they might be tempted if a team like the Yankees makes an aggressive offer. The current thin market for starting pitching could also push a contender to gamble on Alcantara, hoping a turnaround is still possible.
About the Author
