The MLB trade deadline is at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on July 31, and prognostication season is in full swing.
Although, to be honest, there is rarely a break in the efforts of MLB analysts to predict what moves might be coming next. Even at 6:01 p.m. on the last day of July, there will still be discussions over lineup decisions, September callups, potential playoff rosters. And of course, the start of free agency will be here before we know it, spurring predictions over how teams could try to fill holes.
But on the last day of June, it’s all about the trade talk, and there is no shortage of it floating around TV shows, radio dials and computer screens. A lot of that talk can admittedly get into “you’ve got to be kidding me” territory, with proposals designed to generate clicks more than realistic discussion.
Sometimes, however, an idea that seems far-fetched at first can become easier to swallow over time.
‘Outrageous’ Offer Sends Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera to Chicago for Five Prospects
In a Sunday article for Bleacher Report, Kerry Miller laid out the framework for “8 Outrageous Trades to Shake Up the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline,” presenting an octet of “spicy” theoretical swaps that could turn things upside down for the upcoming playoff race. Suffice to say that Miller’s suggestion for the Chicago Cubs would be a game changer.
Miller proposes that Chicago kill two birds with one stone by working with the Miami Marlins to acquire a pair of starting pitchers in Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. In exchange for two of this season’s top trade candidates, the Cubs would send Miami a quintet of their top prospects: outfielder Kevin Alcantara (Chicago’s No. 3 prospect), middle infielder Jefferson Rojas (No. 4), right-handed pitcher Jaxon Wiggins (No. 8), right-handed pitcher Ryan Gallagher (No. 17) and infielder Yahil Melendez (No. 24).
Crazy, right? Maybe crazy enough to work.
With a 2.0-game lead in the suddenly competitive National League Central Division and an offense that has been among the highest scorers in the league all season, Chicago is expected to make a few additions to its roster over the next month. And when factoring in the uncertainty surrounding Kyle Tucker’s future with the Cubs, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them take an all-in approach.
That means targeting a starting pitcher … or two.
Adding Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera Would Create Strong Cubs Rotation Through 2027
Chicago’s pitching issues this season have been well chronicled, with injuries (Justin Steele, Javier Assad), outperformed expectations (Colin Rea, Matthew Boyd) and inconsistencies of youth (Cade Horton, Ben Brown) combining to lessen confidence in the postseason potential of the team’s rotation. Which makes Miller’s wild idea suddenly seem not so wild.
And given their contract situations, Chicago could be set up for quite the run.
The 29-year-old Alcantara is signed for $17.3 million in 2026, with a $21 million club option for 2027. Cabrera, who turns 28 in August, currently costs just $1.95 million and is under club control through 2028.
Imagine a rotation over the next two seasons of Alcantara, Cabrera, Steele, Assad and Shota Imanaga. Doesn’t that sound outrageous?
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