The Chicago Cubs are in first place, but they’re also still in trouble.
After losing Justin Steele for the season and Shota Imanaga for at least a month, the Cubs’ starting rotation is in flux. Fortunately, the offense has carried them to a 32-21 start, two games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.
Obviously, the Cubs are in a position that makes a trade for a number-one starter a no-brainer. But unfortunately, it’s not clear that there will be many, if any aces traded this season.
Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins looked like that ace at the start of the season, but he’s been shockingly bad so far in his return from Tommy John surgery. The 29-year-old has an ERA of 8.04 and a WHIP of 1.57 in 10 starts/47 innings pitched.
Still, Jim Riley of BALLCAP Sports predicted recently that the Cubs would trade for Alcantara ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline, banking on the 2022 National League Cy Young winner to rediscover his form.
“The Cubs need to be aggressive and really go for it,” Riley said. “This may be the only year the Cubs have Kyle Tucker.
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“Now, I expect the Cubs to continue to compete for several years, and that’s great, because you’d have Sandy for a couple more years after this. But for this year, being in the position they are at the top of the Central, go add more pitching.”
Alcantara has a track record of excellence, but the Cubs will want to at least see some of his old tricks over the next two months. If he’s pitching well, though, his five-year, $56 million contract is a bargain.
Chicago would acquire Alcantara for the remainder of $17 million this year, another $17 million next year, and $21 million in 2027. He’s not pitching like he’s worth that kind of money now, but that’s below-market value for even a number-two starter.
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