Sandy Alcantara didn’t just dominate in 2022; he downright owned the mound. With 228.2 innings of sheer command and high-octane heat, he made opposing lineups look helpless and walked away with a unanimous Cy Young. Now in 2025, as the trade deadline action intensifies, his potential is igniting discussions again. But strangely, there’s no bidding war: Just whispers, hesitation, and a whole lot of skepticism.

And honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Alcantara lost all of 2024 to Tommy John surgery, and his return has been anything but smooth. That ERA? A bloated 7.14 that’s more panic-inducing than promising. His stuff—velocity, movement, and arsenal are still there, but the rhythm isn’t. It has led to inconsistent outings and growing whispers that Miami may have to hold onto him until winter, when his value might better reflect his upside.

“Alcantara is 4-9 with a 7.14 ERA and 1.495 WHIP, and is getting worse. He is yielding an 8.61 ERA in his last four starts, giving up 32 hits in 23 innings with 14 strikeouts and five walks,” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale wrote in his column a couple of days ago.

And now, veteran insider Jon Heyman has waved a caution flag. Speaking on 670 The Score, Heyman urged the Cubs and other contenders to look elsewhere. “I’d rather take a hot pitcher that doesn’t have a great track record over (Sandy) Alcantara,” he said, pointing to arms like Adrian Houser and Seth Lugo as more appealing short-term adds. He pointed out that Lugo has an opt-out clause that adds complexity to the situation, but is currently more dependable than the shaky form of Alcantara.

This sort of remark was previously unimaginable, for a pitcher as talented as Alcantara and it highlights the change in his perceived value. Now, the Marlins are caught in no man’s land. Holding out hope that a strong second half or a better offseason market will raise his value, they’re hesitating to pull the trigger now. But that indecision, combined with Alcantara’s current performance, is putting the suitors in two minds. Baltimore, Boston, the Dodgers, Toronto, and the Cubs are all monitoring, but none appear ready to meet Miami’s asking price, at least not yet.

For the Cubs, especially, this becomes a defining decision. Do you bet on pedigree and hope for a turnaround? Or go with someone trending upward right now, even if the ceiling is lower? The answer could shape not only their playoff push but Alcantara’s career trajectory as well.

Sandy Alcantara: from ace to afterthought?

It’s not just that Sandy Alcantara is struggling; it’s how he’s struggling that has teams raising eyebrows. He’s constantly adjusting, tweaking his pitch mix, searching for feel, and still watching runs pile up. What was once elite precision now looks like a guessing game, and for front offices considering a move, the risk no longer hides in the shadows; it’s right there in the box score.

Alcantara’s comeback from Tommy John surgery has been rocky. He has logged a brutal 7.14 ERA over 19 starts, with a complete loss of rhythm. He missed 2024 recovering; now he’s hunting for feel. But the results speak louder than mechanics. He has logged just one scoreless outing in eight games—a stark contrast to his 2022 dominance.

“I don’t know, man. I think I’m just getting stuck in the same inning. Just got to keep positive, keep working the way that I’ve been. Whatever people say or think, I will keep battling every inning out there,” Alcantara said back in May.

Of late, there’s been chatter about slight improvement. His FIP (4.59) and xERA (4.99) suggest he’s been better than his surface results warrant. But by and large, Alcantara’s lack of confidence shows and until he rediscovers it, he won’t be the ace he once was.