Alcantara, Cabrera both in top 30 of ESPN's top MLB trade prospects

Miami Herald

3 days ago

Before their appearances on the mound versus the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara's trade rumors continue to swirl around the league.
In ESPN's most recent trade deadline predictions, both Marlins pitchers cracked the top 30 most likely to be dealt — Alcantara landing at No. 4 and Cabrera at No. 18.
But Marlins teammate and All-Star Kyle Stowers said they try not to let the speculation get to them on the field.
'Obviously, it's a part of the business,' Stowers said. 'But I think it can be more exhausting to try to play the hypotheticals... At the end of the day, what's going to happen will happen.'
Sandy Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, has consistently struggled this season, raising questions about his future with the team. After his most recent start against the Kansas City Royals on Friday, his ERA lands at a whopping 7.14, and his inconsistency has fueled the speculation surrounding his name.
ESPN currently gives him a 50% chance of being traded, a number that seemed unthinkable just a season ago.
'He has been tinkering this season to try to get his pitch mix and locations right in hopes of regaining his former glory,' wrote ESPN insiders Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan.
Cabrera, on the other hand, has been a bright spot in an otherwise up-and-down Marlins rotation.
Despite dealing with minor injuries and making three fewer starts than Alcantara, he's posted a 3.61 ERA and leads the team with 86 strikeouts. ESPN pegs his trade likelihood at 30%, but with a fastball topping out at 97 mph and a diverse pitch mix that troubles both lefties and righties, he's seen as one of the more valuable young arms on the market. For the Marlins, they could get a serious payout for him with three more years under team control.
'Cabrera has premium stuff, and he's got a lot of weapons,' General Manager Clayton McCullough said earlier this season.
With just days remaining before the trade deadline, the upcoming series against the Padres could play a critical role in determining both pitchers' futures. Their performances could raise — or lower — their trade value. Either way, this could very well be the last time we see Cabrera and Alcantara wearing a Marlins uniform.