BOLD PREDICTION SUGGESTS SANDY ALCANTARA WITH BE IN PINSTRIPES

Sandy Alcantara on the trade market? That’s the kind of news that should make the Yankees sit up and pay attention. True aces don’t become available often, and when they do, smart teams pounce. The Yankees should be first in line.

Alcantara isn’t just a good pitcher—he’s a great one. In 2022, he wasn’t just dominant; he was a throwback to a different era. He made 32 starts, posted a 2.28 ERA, and threw an absurd 228.2 innings—more than any other pitcher in baseball. In a league where starters get pulled at the first sign of trouble, Alcantara didn’t just go deep into games—he finished them. He led MLB with six complete games in 2022, winning the NL Cy Young Award unanimously. That’s not just ace material; that’s workhorse, franchise cornerstone material.

Then came Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2024 season. A setback? Sure. A reason to pass on him? Absolutely not. History tells us that plenty of pitchers return from Tommy John even better than before. The Yankees, a team that desperately needs innings and a high-end starter behind Gerrit Cole and company, should be all over this. With Gil out, it just makes sense, especially if he's out all year, which, appears to be a possible scenario.

Look, the trade deadline will be here before we know it, and who knows where the Yankees will be in the standings by then. The beauty of trading for Alcantara great, but what will it cost? He’s under control through 2026 for just $56 million total, with a $21 million club option for 2027. That’s ace-level production at a mid-rotation price, something the Yankees should want to figure out.

If he were a free agent, Alcantara would command a deal well north of $200 million. Instead, he’s locked into one of the best contracts for a frontline starter in baseball. That’s why the Marlins will demand a lot in return. But for a Yankees team looking to finally break its very long championship drought, giving up premium prospects for a proven ace (or even Stroman) is exactly the kind of move they should be making.

Look, right now, the Yankees’ rotation has too many questions and not enough answers. Luis Gil’s injury was a major blow, and Marcus Stroman’s contract situation means the Yankees have an incentive to limit his innings to keep his $18.5 million vesting option for 2026 from kicking in. Meanwhile, Carlos Rodón is hot and cold and Clarke Schmidt, while promising, hasn’t yet proven he can handle a full season as a reliable No. 3 starter.

Enter Alcantara. Even coming off Tommy John, his upside is massive. If the Yankees are serious about making a deep October run, they need someone who can dominate in the playoffs and take the pressure off Cole. That’s why ESPN’s Eric Karabell made this prediction:

"RHP Sandy Alcantara and his 2.90 ERA pitch a scoreless second inning in the All-Star Game — and 10 days later he is on the Yankees."

That’s a dream scenario. But it’s also realistic. The Yankees have the farm system depth to make a deal, and while it would cost them, acquiring an ace at a discount price is exactly the kind of move a championship team makes.

The bottom line is the Yankees should want Sandy Alcantara. He’s an elite pitcher, a proven workhorse, and exactly the type of arm that could push them over the top. If Miami is willing to listen, Brian Cashman should be making calls right now.

Because one thing’s for sure—Sandy Alcantara would look perfect in pinstripes.