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5 hours ago
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After the Chicago Cubs lost Justin Steele for the remainder of the 2025 season, there was a clear need to add to the position. With Javier Assad suffering a significant setback and Shota Imanaga getting banged up, the need became desperate.
According to Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report, the Cubs' most desperate need is starting pitching. To solve that issue, Kelly called on Jed Hoyer and the Cubs to add a high-profile starter to bolster their starting rotation. The starter he named first was Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara.
"President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer could take a big swing on someone like Alcantara or [Zac] Gallen," Kelly writes. "Hoping they catch fire and can carry them in the postseason."
While Zac Gallen is also an option, Alcantara is the most intriguing one the Cubs could add. He's a former Cy Young award winner and has one of the best pitching seasons in the 2020s of any pitcher.
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell (11) returns to the dugout after a pitching change against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at loanDepot Park.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
In 2022, when Alcantara won the Cy Young, he had a remarkable 2.28 ERA and 8.0 WAR. He went 14-9, with six complete games and one shutout. Across his 228.2 innings, which led baseball, he struck out 207 batters and walked just 50.
Alcantara is under contract through the 2026 season, with a $21 million club option for the 2027 season. The Cubs could have Alcantara for a little while, or if he turns things around, would have the ability to bring him back for the foreseeable future.
His years of control and his stellar stuff in 2022 make Alcantara one of the most captivating trade targets for the Cubs. If Hoyer and Craig Counsell want to swing for the fences in 2025, Alcantara might be the best option.
Kelly is urging the Cubs to solve their desperate need for rotation help, and names Alcantara as his top option. He'd be a multi-year investment, and with his strong history, he could turn things around upon joining the Cubs rotation.
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