The Chicago Cubs struggled in 2024, finishing 83-79, and failed to reach the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. While their starting rotation pitched well as a group, they struggled to get production out of the No.5 spot as they lacked depth. Chicago addressed that issue by signing Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea in free agency.

Despite bolstering the unit – and reportedly being in talks with free agent Lance Lynn – the Cubs have been linked to 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. Jeff Passan of ESPN recently revealed that teams wonder if the Miami Marlins will make their ace available at the trade deadline.

Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report predicts that Chicago will be among the teams in the mix to land the two-time All-Star, noting that it is telling the franchise is targeting Lynn due to their lack of depth outside of their top three starters. He added:

The Cubs are like the Red Sox in that they have more young hitters than they have room for. “If you can’t play ’em, trade ’em” isn’t a saying, but it ought to be. Trade Proposal: Chicago Cubs get RHP Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins get RHP Javier Assad, C Moises Ballesteros (Cubs No. 3, MLB No. 41), OF Kevin Alcántara (Cubs No. 6). Assad is a bit redundant in Chicago, but the 27-year-old is at least usable as a major league pitcher. He even had a 3.73 ERA over 147 innings last year. The real prizes here are Ballesteros, who projects as a high-average type, and Alcántara, who has power and speed in abundance. Neither has a clear path to playing time in Chicago, but that wouldn’t be an issue in Miami, per Zach Rymer of Bleacher Report Assad made 29 starts for the Cubs last season, posting a 7-6 record, 3.73 ERA, and 124 strikeouts in 147.0 innings pitched. He is dealing with an oblique strain and did not take the mound during Spring Training.

All three players in the projected trade proposal did not make Chicago’s Opening Day roster. They were not among the 31 players who traveled to Japan for the Tokyo Series. Meanwhile, Alcantara has been dominant during spring training after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The two-time All-Star has pitched 12.1 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out ten batters and walking just three.