The San Francisco Giants were in the mix for Framber Valdez, and for a while, it looked like they might land the All-Star lefty. But with Valdez now headed to Detroit, the Giants are back to the drawing board – and with the free agent market mostly picked over, their next move will likely come via trade.
One name that’s starting to gain traction in the rumor mill? Sandy Alcantara.
The Miami Marlins haven’t exactly put a “for sale” sign around the former Cy Young winner, but given that they’ve already dealt Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, it’s fair to wonder if they’d entertain offers on Alcantara too. And for a Giants team looking to round out the rotation behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, Alcantara could be exactly the kind of high-upside swing worth taking.
Now, let’s be clear: Alcantara wasn’t himself in 2025. Coming off a major injury, he posted an 11-12 record with a 5.36 ERA and a WHIP of 1.271 over 174 innings. The strikeout numbers were still respectable at 142, but the overall production was a far cry from the dominant force we saw in his Cy Young campaign.
But here’s where things get interesting. After the trade deadline, Alcantara started to look more like his old self.
In his final 65 innings, he went 5-3 with a 3.70 ERA and 61 strikeouts – a noticeable uptick in both command and effectiveness. His velocity stayed up throughout the year, even post-injury, which suggests the stuff is still there.
It’s just a matter of refining it.
That’s the kind of trendline that should intrigue a team like San Francisco, especially when you factor in the ballpark. Oracle Park is one of the most pitcher-friendly environments in baseball – a place where fly balls die in the marine layer and ERAs go to heal. Alcantara’s sinker-heavy arsenal would play well there, especially with a solid defense behind him.
There’s also the contract situation. Alcantara has just one year left before a club option kicks in, which gives the Giants flexibility.
If he rebounds, they’ve got a frontline starter under control. If not, they’re not locked into a long-term deal.
It’s a classic risk-reward scenario – and one that could pay off big if Alcantara finds his groove again.
The Marlins aren’t going to give him away, but with Miami clearly open for business, it’s a call worth making. For the Giants, who still need to solidify their rotation to stay competitive in the NL West, Alcantara might be the best arm still realistically within reach.
