Dodgers Rumors: Asking price for former Cy Young winner likely ends trade pursuit

The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering this year’s trade deadline in a unique spot. While they hold the National League’s second-best record (63-45), they’re in a spot where they need to make some clear upgrades to their roster. 

One of those spots where they could use an upgrade is in the starting rotation, as their pitching staff has seemingly always been behind the eight-ball due to a mix of injuries and underperformance. 

That thinking is perhaps one of the biggest reasons why the Dodgers have been heavily linked to Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara, who is arguably the best pitcher available at the deadline.

A former Cy Young winner with the Marlins in 2022, Alcantara missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and has returned this year to up-and-down results. But, according to a new report from MassLive’s Sean McAdams, that hasn’t stopped the Marlins from putting a large price tag on the former All-Star. 

The Marlins' asking price for Sandy Alcantara may be too steep for the Dodgers 

In a new story for MassLive, McAdams wrote the Marlins are telling teams that their asking price for Alcantara “starts with two elite prospects... plus.”

While Alcantara is a former Cy Young winner who was once viewed as one of the best pitchers in MLB, that’s still a steep asking price for a starter who currently boasts a 6.36 ERA in 105 innings. 

For the Dodgers, any conversation around “two elite prospects” probably begins with Dalton Rushing, Alex Freeland, Josue De Paula and/or Zyhir Hope. Although all of that quartet are likely available at the right price, it’s one thing to trade them for a player who is at the top of their game. It’s clear that Alcantara isn’t that. 

However, he has been pitching better as of late. His ERA ballooned to 7.89 at the beginning of June, but he’s posted a 4.67 ERA over his 52 innings and hasn’t allowed an earned run over his last 13 innings. He tossed five scoreless innings against the Cardinals on Wednesday. 

After the start, Alcantara told reporters that he “wants to be” in Miami, but he may not get a choice in the decision. 

The one thing that could tip any potential Alcantara deal in Miami’s favor is the amount of control he has. He has one more year of team control at $17.3 million (he’s owed about $6 million for the rest of 2025) and has a $21 million team option with a $2 million buyout for 2027. 

But, at the end of the day, the Dodgers’ starting rotation is filled with plenty of talented arms who have struggled to stay healthy. They may not be interested in adding another one in Alcantara at such a steep cost.