The Chicago Cubs are strategizing ahead of the MLB trade deadline, particularly focusing on bolstering their starting rotation due to significant injuries. Notably, their interest is directed towards Sandy Alcantara from the Miami Marlins, a former Cy Young award winner. This potential trade carries risk, as Alcantara is recovering from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season. His performance in 2025 has raised concerns, especially with an alarming 8.31 ERA in his first six starts, the highest of his career.

Despite the risk, acquiring Alcantara could significantly enhance the Cubs' rotation, especially with Justin Steele out for the year and Javier Assad facing rehabilitation setbacks. While the Cubs possess a wealth of top prospects to facilitate a trade, Alcantara's inconsistent performance, including a disastrous outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, poses a dilemma for the team. They hope he can revert to his exceptional 2022 form when he posted a 2.28 ERA with 207 strikeouts over 228.2 innings.