The New York Yankees have kicked off the season strong, holding a 15-10 record through their first 25 games and sitting atop the AL East. Aaron Judge is already making waves in the MVP race, and the offense is firing on all cylinders. But while the bats are booming, the pitching staff is telling a very different story.
The team’s overall ERA sits at 4.07, ranking them 17th in MLB, but their starting rotation has struggled even more—posting a 4.69 ERA, which ranks 26th out of 30 teams. Only the Athletics, Marlins, Rockies, and Orioles have been worse. With ace Gerrit Cole out for the season and Luis Gil sidelined indefinitely, the Yankees’ rotation is stretched thin. Max Fried and Carlos Rodon have held their own, but beyond them, it’s been rough going.
That’s why all eyes are on the trade deadline—and especially on Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. Though he’s struggled early this year with a 6.56 ERA over five starts after returning from Tommy John surgery, he’s just three years removed from his dominant 2022 Cy Young campaign (2.28 ERA over 228.2 IP). With two more years of team control and a club option for a third, Alcantara is expected to be a top trade chip this summer.
Sandy Alcantara.
USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale recently joined Dodgers Dugout Live and confirmed that Alcantara is almost certain to be moved by late July. “The beauty is, you get him for two more years at a bargain,” Nightengale said, noting the asking price could rival or even exceed what the Padres gave up for Juan Soto. He also believes the Yankees will be major players in the bidding war, saying, “I think you’ll have the Yankees doing everything possible.”
While teams like the Cubs and Padres may show interest, Nightengale doubts they have the prospect firepower to get a deal done. The Yankees, on the other hand, have the young talent to make it happen—and Alcantara could be the missing piece in their push for another World Series run in what’s shaping up to be a wide-open American League race.
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