The Chicago Cubs are pushing for an NL Central title this year, and they currently have the best roster on paper in the division. That doesn’t mean they won’t add at the trade deadline in July. The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney believes the Cubs will make a big splash in the trade market and bring in Sandy Alcántara (subscription required).

“The Cubs will finish slightly north of 83 wins, capturing the division title after trading for Sandy Alcantara in a blockbuster deadline deal with the Miami Marlins,” wrote Mooney. Mooney didn’t go into specifics of what the trade may look like, but it’s expected to be a sizable package. At the deadline, Alcántara would have 1 1/2 years of control left followed by a club option for 2027.

The Marlins ace is making $17.3 million this year and next season before being paid $21.2 million if the club option is picked up. If the Cubs acquired Alcántara, he would slot in to the top of their rotation. Based on the current structure, Colin Rea would be the one who likely moves into the bullpen.

Alcántara looked sharp in his season debut for the Marlins Thursday afternoon. The 29-year-old pitcher went 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, four walks and conceded a pair of earned runs. However, he threw four innings without conceding a hit and allowed just two baserunners. After missing all of last season due to Tommy john surgery, Alcántara simply ran out of gas in the fifth inning when the Pirates offense came to life.

The Cubs would be smart to aggressively pursue Alcántara at the trade deadline as he will have a lot of potential suitors.