Blue Jays could trade for Cy Young starter who might be a better fit than Tarik Skubal

Even though they haven't had the best start to the season, the Toronto Blue Jays are very much a contender in 2026. They are also going to need to add some help at the trade deadline.

With a lot of injuries to the starting rotation, it's become clear where the Blue Jays need to add this summer. Fortunately, there's a very fun option in Tarik Skubal expected to be available.

But, ESPN's Jeff Passan linked the Blue Jays to a Cy Young pitcher who might actually be a better fit than Skubal in Toronto. That pitcher is Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who could be a better investment than Skubal this year.

Sandy Alcantara might be a better fit for Blue Jays than Tarik Skubal

".... They're the sort of team capable of making up significant-enough ground over the next two months not only to put themselves among the acquirers but to throw their hat in the ring for Skubal or Peralta," Passan writes. "They're not there yet, either, which is why Alcantara -- who could replace Gausman in the rotation if he leaves in free agency this winter -- makes sense."

The Blue Jays are one of the better teams in baseball when fully healthy, or at least, they should be. If they can maintain a spot in the postseason from now until the trade deadline, they're going to be buyers.

In adding talent to this team, more rotation help is an obvious area to address. And while Skubal would be very fun, Alcantara makes a bit more sense.

With Kevin Gausman hitting free agency after the season is over, the Blue Jays could use someone who could be a multi-year factor. That's just what Alcantara could be.

MORE: Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency

Unlike Skubal, who is going to hit free agency following the 2026 season, Alcantara has a club option for the 2027 season that the Blue Jays almost surely would accept if they traded for him.

Having Alcantara for two seasons would help make up for the possible loss of Gausman. And even if they bring him back, they will have a good pitcher in their rotation for at least one more season.

Alcantara is 30 years old and has a 4.59 ERA this season. While he might not be as good as he was during his 2022 Cy Young season, he's more than talented enough for the Blue Jays to take a chance on him.

Passan links the Blue Jays to both Skubal and Alcantara, but that extra year of club control makes Alcantara the better fit in Toronto than the back-to-back Cy Young winner.

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