The Los Angeles Dodgers, fresh off a 2024 World Series title, find themselves in familiar territory as the trade deadline approaches: stacked with talent but searching for pitching stability. Despite an offseason that brought in a wave of high-profile arms—Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rōki Sasaki, and even Tanner Scott—the rotation has been battered by injuries. With several frontline starters sidelined and Shohei Ohtani not expected to pitch this season, the Dodgers are once again expected to be active in the trade market.
And this time, their eyes may be locked on a familiar name: Sandy Alcantara.
The 2022 NL Cy Young winner has struggled to regain form in his return from Tommy John surgery. Through 13 starts this season, Alcantara owns a 7.14 ERA. But over his last two outings, there have been signs of life—most notably a 1.50 ERA and increased command that has scouts paying attention. His four-seam fastball recently topped 99 mph against the Pirates, and his pitch sequencing has looked more like the version of Alcantara that once dominated lineups with ease.
Los Angeles Dodgers Eye Sandy Alcantara Amid Pitching Injuries and Trade Deadline Buzz
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Dodgers are among the teams “lurking” as the Marlins quietly shop the right-hander. Despite an inconsistent season, Alcantara remains one of the most intriguing arms available—if Miami chooses to move him before the deadline.
“Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara is starting to look like himself again after undergoing Tommy John surgery, with his fastball (97.6 mph) and command returning just in time to get traded… The Dodgers, who have plenty of prospects, are one of the teams lurking,” Nightengale reported.
That last line is key: Los Angeles has the farm system to make it happen.
The Dodgers entered the year with the fourth-best minor league system in baseball, giving them the capital to outbid virtually any contender. If the Marlins choose to sell while Alcantara’s value trends upward, Los Angeles could offer both MLB-ready talent and long-term prospects in return. It’s a trade that makes sense on paper for both teams: the Dodgers desperately need depth, and the Marlins, entering another rebuild cycle, need cost control and future upside.
But Miami may not be in a rush. Alcantara is under contract through 2027 with a team-friendly deal that includes a $21 million option, making him a controllable asset. Internally, the Marlins have reportedly debated whether it’s better to wait until the offseason—when Alcantara’s value could climb higher—rather than trading low off his recent injury history.
Yet the risk in waiting is clear: Alcantara could regress again, or worse, suffer a setback. The recent glimpses of dominance against the Rockies and Pirates may be just enough for Miami to test the market while he’s hot.
Even so, there’s no denying that Los Angeles makes a compelling trade partner. The franchise has proven time and again that it will pursue elite arms when the opportunity presents itself, whether that’s through free agency or midseason moves. And with Ohtani under contract, every season is win-now mode. Adding Alcantara to a rotation that could include a healthy Kershaw, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Snell, and Sasaki in October would give L.A. unmatched postseason depth—something they lacked even during last year’s title run.
Despite their loaded rotation on paper, the Dodgers were down to just three reliable starters by the end of the 2024 playoffs. The front office remembers that, and it may be a driving force behind this pursuit.
For Alcantara, a change of scenery might be what he needs. He’s been candid about his resilience and his effort to reclaim his previous form. “I’m proud of myself for being patient,” he told reporters after his strong outing against Pittsburgh. The Marlins, too, may be proud of how they’ve handled his return—but with interest mounting, they’ll need to decide whether to sell high now or risk waiting for more.
The Yankees have also been loosely connected to Alcantara, given Gerrit Cole’s injury and their own rotation depth concerns. But few teams have both the incentive and the prospect capital that the Dodgers bring to the table.
If Alcantara’s recent momentum continues, don’t be surprised if Los Angeles makes a move. It may not be a blockbuster in terms of name value right now, but the impact could be felt deep into October.