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The Chicago Cubs could still make a splash in MLB free agency.

The Chicago Cubs finished the 2025 season at 92-70 and five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central Division. They beat the San Diego Padres in the wild-card round, but the Cubs were eliminated in the Division Series by the Brewers.

There were some big changes this offseason for Chicago. Gone is Kyle Tucker in free agency, signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. They signed Alex Bregman in free agency away from the Boston Red Sox. Still, replacing Tucker’s production isn’t going to be easy.

As far as the pitching goes, the Cubs acquired right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. He should bolster Chicago’s rotation, which has a mixture of veterans and young arms. As is the case at the trade deadline every year, expect the Cubs to look to add to their starting rotation.

There is going to be no shortage of arms likely available. The Cubs were linked to a former Cy Young Award winner, which would reunite Cabrera with a former teammate.

Chicago Cubs Linked to Miami Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara

This winter, the Marlins traded two starting pitchers, Cabrera and Ryan Weathers, who was traded to the New York Yankees. In both deals, they got several prospects in return. Chicago gave up rising prospect Owen Caissie as part of the package going back to South Florida.

Another name that will likely be moved at some point by Miami is Sandy Alcantara. Mike Axisa of CBS Sports listed some early trade deadline candidates, and Alcantara was one of them. The three potential landing spots for him were the Cubs, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants. If that ever happened, it would reunite Cabrera and Alcantara in the Windy City.

“The Marlins moved two veteran-ish starters this offseason (Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers) but hung on to Alcantara, who was a prime trade candidate last winter and again at last year’s trade deadline. He instead remains in Miami. How long will that last? I don’t think it will be too much longer, given his $17 million salary this year and $21 million club option next year. Interested teams will give up more to get two postseasons of Alcantara rather than one, making a trade this summer more likely,” Axisa wrote.

Listing Atlanta as another potential landing spot is interesting. If Bendix and Miami moved Alcantara, it would be hard to envision that it would be to a division rival. However, anything is possible when it comes to trade packages.

Chicago Cubs Would Bolster Rotation With Addition of Sandy Alcantara

Chicago’s predicted starting rotation on Opening Day by MLB.com is predicted to be Cade Horton, Matthew Boyd, Cabrera, Shota Imanaga, and Jameson Taillon. There is depth in the organization in case an injury occurs.

However, it is not a given that Miami trades Alcantara. They just missed out on the final National League wild card spot behind the Cincinnati Reds by four games. If they are in the race or a postseason spot at the deadline, it’ll be hard to justify trading Alcantara. If they’re not, then they do have some up-and-coming arms they could get some experience late in the season.

“The Marlins still have a ways to go to get back into contention, though they are trending in the right direction. They have a lot of young pitching coming and trading Alcantara would further improve the young talent base,” wrote Axisa.

Things could get interesting at the deadline with Alcantara and the Marlins.

Scott Roche Scott Roche covers college football, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three decades of sports writing, covering everything from college to professional sports. More about Scott Roche