Even after trading Rafael Devers, the Boston Red Sox's playoff hopes aren't totally dead in the water. However, if they want to compete, they'll need to make improvements through the trade market, especially in the pitching department. Beyond Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox starters have struggled mightily this season, and their pitching has to improve if they want to be playing October baseball.
The Marlins' Sandy Alcantara, one of the top arms projected to be available at the deadline this summer, has long been considered a target for the Red Sox. However, his price is likely to be steep. Not only does the 2022 NL Cy Young winner have an excellent pedigree, but his contract situation is extremely team-friendly. He's owed just $17.3 million in 2026, and he has a $21 million club option for 2027.
In spite of all of his past success, Alcantara got off to a slow start this season coming off of Tommy John surgery, which caused him to miss all of 2024. That sluggish start quieted the rumor mill around a potential Alcantara trade for a time.
In June, though, Alcantara has looked like his old self again. In four starts, he has a 2.74 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. He's walked just five batters and allowed two home runs in that stretch. The strikeout numbers haven't been as impressive, but he appears to be rounding into form.
Red Sox may have to pay steep price for Marlins' ace
Sandy Alcántara, Painted 98mph Back Door Sinker. 🖌️🎨
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 24, 2025
19 inches of run pic.twitter.com/YS6TKFDS4H
That's bad news for the Red Sox, as the only thing preventing the Marlins from securing a massive return from any suitor for Alcantara was his abysmal start to the season. Now, with Alcantara's numbers improving, it appears that the asking price for the Marlins ace will be sky-high once again.
The problem that the Red Sox have is that without offering one of their big three prospects, they don't have one guy in their farm system who can be the centerpiece of a deal. It might take the Red Sox trading one of their young starters, like Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu, to entice the Marlins into making a trade.
Not only will the Red Sox have to pay handsomely for Alcantara, but they will also not be without competition for his services. The Cubs in particular have been linked to Alcantara ever since their ace Justin Steele went down for the season in April, and those rumors have only increased as their pitching staff has struggled in the last several weeks. This high demand for Alcantara could push his price even higher.