Former GM’s Sandy Alcantara trade concept sounds like pure chaos for Cubs

For the Chicago Cubs and their need for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline, former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara still appears to be at the top of their wish list. The Cubs, however, will have company in their pursuit of Alcantara. Recent reports suggest that the Los Angeles Dodgers are circling with interest in Alcantara.

A quick note before we return to the subject at hand, when it comes to the arms race between the Cubs and Dodgers, pitchers should prefer the Cubs' organization. The Dodgers have had a brutal track record of keeping pitchers healthy in recent seasons, with the latest being Roki Sasaki being shut down. If all things are equal, the preference should be the Cubs. The Cubs have developed an incredible pitching infrastructure, routinely turning reclamation projects into success stories.

With that out of the way, back to the wild trade proposal Jim Bowden had for the Cubs. In his latest for The Athletic, Bowden proposes that the Cubs trade Cade Horton, Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara, and shortstop Ronny Cruz.

This wild Sandy Alcantara trade idea shows why Jim Bowden is no longer in baseball

Despite his struggles, Alcantara will still have a high asking price from the Marlins. Given his Cy Young background and the fact that he is under contract through 2026 with a club option for 2027, the Marlins are in a position to get a haul for the 29-year-old starting pitcher.

That said, for the Cubs, there will be a point where they would break off negotiations with the Marlins on a potential trade for Alcantara. Horton being included in the deal would likely be that point. For context, before his Major League debut, Horton was the top prospect in the Cubs' farm system. Caissie and Alcantara are also in the Cubs' top 5 prospect rankings. There's simply no scenario where the Cubs make that deal with the Marlins.

It would be a safe bet to assume that one of Caissie or Alcantara would be the headline prospect in a trade for Sandy Alcantara. Beyond that, the Cubs will probably have to include multiple prospects who are within their Top 20. A major-league-ready arm would also need to be included in the deal, and Jordan Wicks could be the filler at the end of the trade.

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