Yankees seeking deal for Marlins former Cy Young winner, high-leverage reliever

The New York Yankees have ambitious goals with less than two hours to go before the MLB trade deadline.

The Bronx Bombers are pursuing a trade for Marlins former Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star Sandy Alcántara, as well as sub-2.00 ERA relief pitcher Anthony Bender, according to MLB Yankees insider Bryan Hoch.

Alcantara was traded once before, sent to Miami by the St. Louis Cardinals in December 2017 as part of a larger deal in exchange for outfielder Marcell Ozuna. That proved to be a mistake for the Cardinals, as Alcantara earned two All-Star selections and the 2022 National League Cy Young Award in seven seasons with Miami. In 2022, he posted a 14-9 record, 2.28 ERA, and struck out 207 batters.

Alcantara missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after experiencing discomfort during a game in September 2023. Alcantara has two years left on a 5-year, $56 million contract. He is scheduled to earn $38.3 million over the next two seasons, the second of which is a club option.

Bender has spent all four of his Major League seasons in Miami, where he has established himself as an effective bullpen arm. He has a career 2.98 ERA over 178 innings, including a 1.83 ERA over 44.1 innings this season.

The Yankees would presumably have to pony up a host of high-end prospects for this Marlins package.