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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 10: Manager Craig Counsell #11 of the Chicago Cubs looks on against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on April 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Chicago Cubs have been a steady force in many trade rumors since Matthew Boyd’s injury. Despite the speculation, the Cubs are scorching hot in MLB right now, but as fans should remember from last year, it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish, and to avoid the starting pitcher trap, the Cubs should consider making an impactful trade.

Recently, FanSided.com writer Mark Powell proposed a trade for the Cubs to make where they send off three prospects to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Sandy Alcantara, who has emerged as the top trade candidate regarding a frontline ace this season.

Chicago has gone 8-2 in the last 10 games, but hasn’t been able to gain as much separation as you’d think with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers going 7-13 in the past week and a half. The Cubs are going back and forth with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in MLB.

More MLB on Heavy: Atlanta Braves Should Consider Trading for Cardinals’ Southpaw Reliever to Bolster Bullpen

Cubs Trade Prediction Lands Sandy Alcantara

GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 01: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins delivers against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot park on April 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Powell proposes that the Cubs could trade these three prospects for All-Star starter Sandy Alcantara:

SS/2B, Jefferson Rojas RHP, Kaleb Wing and RHP Grant Kipp

Chicago also has familiarity in trading with the Miami Marlins. The Cubs acquired Edward Cabrera this offseason, who has been an unsung hero of the rotation.

The Cubs are also rocking a four-man rotation right now, which consists of Jameson Taillo, Colin Rea, Shota Imanaga, and Cabrera. Adding another southpaw would be ideal, but if the Marlins make Sandy Alcantra officially available, adding Alcantara, who already has 51.2 innings pitched this season, could go a long way in helping the Cubs get through the season.

Powell writes this about why the Cubs would make this trade:

“While adding Cabrera was some much-needed depth, what the Cubs couldn’t account for was injuries to Horton, Steele and Matthew Boyd. Some of those injuries, particularly to the latter two, are long term. So if the Cubs are going to reach their ultimate goal this season — and that’s to win a World Series — they need to swing for the fences.”

Sandy Alcantara signed a five-year, $56 million contract several seasons ago, but of course, what also makes him a top trade candidate is his upcoming free agency.

Sandy Alcantara As a Starter

GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – APRIL 01:Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins reacts with teammates after pitching a complete game against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot park on April 01, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Sandy Alcantara has an ERA of 4.01 over eight starts this season. He’s a true innings-eater, but Alcantara has had to adjust his pitching style after a few different innings.

In the last four full seasons he’s played, Alcantara has made 28+ starts in all of them, and looks well on pace this season to do the same.

Over the course of his nine-year MLB career, Alcantara has an ERA of 3.67 over 1127 total innings. He won the NL Cy Young in 2022 for a truly dominant season.

For the Cubs, they are going to continuously be linked to all starting pitchers that surface in trade discussions, but as of now, unless the front office plans to call up any young arms, adding via the external market might be a must.