Marlins have 'baseball's most lucrative trade chip' amid Yankees, Dodgers rumors
Talks are starting to heat up, but who will win the bidding?
Marlins have 'baseball's most lucrative trade chip' amid Yankees, Dodgers rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Miami Marlins are showing signs of life as a contender in this year's NL Wild Card race.
It's still early, but the Marlins look like they've taken a significant step. Right-hander Sandy Alcantara is a major reason why, as he's allowed no earned runs in his first two starts (16 innings) of the season, including a complete game shutout against the Chicago White Sox . Alcantara's name has consistently popped up in trade rumors throughout the past few years.
He won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 but battled inconsistent performance in 2023 and 2025, and missed the entire 2024 season rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery. Several teams, including the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers , are rumored to have interest in making a trade for the two-time All-Star. The return package the Marlins receive for Alcantara will rise if he continues to dominate on the mound.
MORE: Yankees outfielder once battled ostrich in 11-plate spaghetti-eating contest "Alcantara’s five-year, $56 million contract expires after this season, but he has a $21 million club option or a $2 million buyout in 2027," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote Sunday. "Rival executives still fully expect the Marlins to trade Alcantara, knowing they should have perhaps baseball’s most lucrative trade chip at the July 31 deadline. " It feels like Alcantara's future depends on where the Marlins are in the standings come the trade deadline.