The New York Yankees lost a major piece of their rotation before the 2025 season when Gerrit Cole underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery in March, but some insiders believed they could find a replacement with a $56 million ace hitting the trade block.
That blockbuster trade never materialized during the season, and now it appears that it never will.
Trade Target Off the Table for Bronx Bombers
The Miami Marlins were reportedly considering a big shakeup to their pitching staff, with ace Sandy Alcantara hitting the trade block during the season. The Marlins never pulled the trigger, and a new report indicates they won’t be revisiting the trade idea.
Reporter Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported that the Marlins are taking Alcantara off the table, and it would take an “incredible offer” for them to even consider a deal.
Mike Axisa of CBS Sports added that the Marlins won’t feel pressure to move Alcantara at all this offseason.
“Alcantara, 30, had a rough 2025 overall, his first year back from Tommy John surgery,” Axisa wrote. “He pitched much better late in the season, however, and the interest at the deadline shows teams still believe in his upside and aren’t scared away by poor performance. Alcantara is owed $17 million in 2026 with a $21 million club option for 2027, so there’s no urgency to trade him this offseason.”
The Yankees were seen as a logical destination for Alcantara if the Marlins decided to pull the trigger. Fox Sports writer Deesha Thosar named the Yankees as a top potential landing spot, noting that many expected the Marlins to sell off their top pitcher for some assets to use in their rebuild.
âDeep in a rebuild that has fans irritated and impatient, theyâre poised for another fruitless season in 2025. Alcantara, one of the only recognizable names left on the Marlins roster, is expected to be out of Miami by the time the NFL preseason starts,â Thosar wrote.
Yankees Could Turn to Other Trade Targets
With Alcantara off the table, the Yankees could turn their attention to other trade targets that would shore up their rotation. Bleacher Reportâs Joel Reuter suggested they could take aim at another Marlins pitcher, landing Edward Cabrera in a trade for outfielder Jasson Dominguez.
The 22-year-old Dominguez struggled last season, but Reuter suggested the Yankees could flip him to the Marlins while his value is still high due to his age and potential.
“Flipping him to an offense-needy team in the Marlins in exchange for Edward Cabrera would fill a spot in the starting rotation to help bridge the gap to Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón returning,” Reuter wrote. “Cabrera, 27, had a career year in 2025 with a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 150 strikeouts in 137.2 innings, and he would be more than just a short-term addition with club control through 2028.”
The Yankees are also due some help in the early summer, with Cole expected to return from his Tommy John surgery sometime in the middle of the season. The Yankees are expected to take a cautious approach, but Cole made good progress after starting his throwing program last August.
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