Marlins 'Never' Intended to Trade Ace, Despite Deadline Chatter

The Miami Marlins did not rush to trade their star pitcher, Sandy Alcantara, during the MLB trade deadline, despite reports suggesting otherwise. In fact, the team made the surprising decision to trade away another key player, Liam Hicks, who was one of their most productive batters. This move seemingly weakened an offense that was already struggling, ranking in the bottom third of MLB teams.

However, by keeping Alcantara, the Marlins sent a signal that they were not entirely abandoning their hopes for a playoff run. According to Jon Heyman, a New York Post and MLB Network insider, the Marlins never had any intention of dealing their ace. Sandy Alcantara, a 30-year-old right-hander, will remain with the team through the end of the season and continue their pursuit of an NL Wild Card spot.

Although he has not returned to the form he achieved in the 2022 Cy Young season, Alcantara remains a reliable presence on the mound. He leads the league with 24 starts and 156 2/3 innings pitched this year and is on track to start at least 28 games, surpassing his previous career high. Alcantara's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, unless the Marlins exercise a $21 million team option.

While keeping Alcantara does not signal a shift towards a win-now strategy, the team faces a difficult decision regarding his future as his salary will nearly double the following season if the option is not accepted.