Trade rumors intensified around Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara following a major pitching injury to a would-be contender.
The Chicago Cubs announced Sunday that ace pitcher Justin Steele will miss the remainder of the season due to elbow surgery. Steele had firmly established himself as the Cubs’ ace, with a 3.10 ERA in 78 starts over the past three seasons.
Justin Steele will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his left elbow, Cubs manager Craig Counsell announced today at Dodger Stadium.
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) April 13, 2025
Bob Nightengale of USA Today quickly linked the Cubs to a potential trade for Alcantara. Nightengale suggested the Cubs will immediately begin searching for a frontline starter in the trade market to fill the hole in their rotation.
The Cubs' search for a front-line starter begins immediately with the Miami Marlins having the pitcher every team wants in Sandy Alcantara. https://t.co/2kvvLJfAx4
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 13, 2025
The Cubs have 112 runs in their first 17 games and clearly have a high-caliber offense. Pitching is the question now, and it becomes an even bigger issue with Steele’s injury. They already arguably needed reinforcements in the rotation behind Steele and Shota Imanaga even before this latest injury problem.
Alcantara will be in high demand on the trade market if the Marlins do decide to move him. The 2022 NL Cy Young winner looks healthy coming off his own surgery and is only 29 years old. Plenty of teams want him, and one of the Cubs’ NL rivals might be in the market as well.
The Cubs are 10-7 entering play Sunday. They are fresh off a shocking 16-0 win over the Dodgers on Saturday night.
