The Chicago Cubs have been one of the most successful teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) in recent years. With a strong core of talented players and a dedicated fan base, the Cubs have consistently been a top contender for the World Series title. However, in order to make a deep postseason run this season, the Cubs may need to make a bold move and poach a starting pitcher from the Miami Marlins.
The Cubs have had a solid start to the season, currently sitting in second place in the National League Central division. However, they have faced some challenges with their starting pitching rotation. While their ace, Kyle Hendricks, has been dominant on the mound, the rest of the rotation has been inconsistent. This has led to some concerns about the team’s ability to make a deep run in the postseason.
One solution to this issue could be to acquire a starting pitcher from another team. And the Miami Marlins may be the perfect target for the Cubs. The Marlins have a talented young pitcher in Sandy Alcantara who has caught the attention of many teams around the league. With the Marlins currently in a rebuilding phase, they may be willing to part ways with Alcantara in exchange for some promising prospects from the Cubs.
Alcantara, who is only 25 years old, has shown great potential in his three seasons with the Marlins. He has a career ERA of 3.94 and an impressive strikeout rate of 8.7 per nine innings. He also has a fastball that can reach up to 100 mph, making him a valuable asset on the mound. With the Cubs in need of a reliable starting pitcher, Alcantara could be the missing piece to their postseason puzzle.
One of the main reasons why the Cubs should consider poaching Alcantara from the Marlins is his playoff experience. In 2020, Alcantara was a key part of the Marlins’ postseason run, helping them reach the National League Division Series. He showed poise and composure on the mound, proving that he can handle the pressure of playoff baseball. With the Cubs’ postseason experience and Alcantara’s playoff experience, they could form a formidable team that could make a deep run in the playoffs.
Another factor that makes Alcantara an attractive target for the Cubs is his contract situation. He is currently signed to a team-friendly deal that runs through the 2023 season. This means that the Cubs would have a reliable starting pitcher for the next few years without having to worry about renegotiating his contract. This would give the team stability in their rotation and allow them to focus on other areas of the team.
Of course, acquiring Alcantara from the Marlins would not be an easy task. The Marlins are well aware of his value and would likely ask for a significant return in exchange for him. The Cubs would need to be willing to part ways with some of their top prospects in order to make this deal happen. However, if it means strengthening their starting rotation and increasing their chances of a deep postseason run, it may be a risk worth taking.
The addition of Alcantara to the Cubs’ starting rotation would not only benefit the team in the short term but also in the long term. With a young and talented core of players, the Cubs have the potential to be a top team in the league for years to come. Alcantara would fit right in with this group and could be a key piece in their future success.
In conclusion, the Chicago Cubs have the potential to make a deep postseason run this season, but they may need to make a bold move to solidify their starting rotation. The Miami Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara could be the perfect target for the Cubs, with his talent, playoff experience, and team-friendly contract. While it may require giving up some top prospects, acquiring Alcantara could be the missing piece that leads the Cubs to another World Series title.