Cubs have already made inquiries about Marlins Cy Young winner and teammate

The Chicago Cubs have struggled mightily in June and are clinging on to a two-and-a-half game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central.

The dynamic offense that was once top of Major League Baseball in runs, run differential and RBI has cooled off and the starting rotation isn’t keeping the ball in the ballpark.

Chicago desperately needs to address starting pitching at the trade deadline and have been linked to several starting pitchers on the market, including two Miami Marlins.

Former NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara and his teammate Edward Cabrera are two realistic fits for the Cubs, though it will cost a lot to acquire either of their services.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs have already inquired about both Alcantara and Cabrera.

“But the Cubs, according to sources briefed on their plans, already are canvassing the market, making inquiries on Miami Marlins right-handers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, among many others,” wrote Rosenthal.

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Alcantara, 28, won the 2022 NL Cy Young award after a dominant season. He struggled a bit in 2023 and then missed all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery.

Alcantara got off to a rough start this season but has appeared to look more like himself over his last four starts. He is 4-8 with a 6.69 ERA in 15 starts.

Cabrera, 27, also had a rough start to the season but has been excellent in May and June. He missed the start of the season with a blister on his right middle finger and was roughed up in his first four starts.

Cabrera is 2-2 with a 3.81 ERA in 12 starts this season.

“Alcantara, owed the balance of his $17 million salary this season and $17 million next season with a $21 million club option for 2027, would require a significant payroll boost,” wrote Rosenthal. “Cabrera, earning $1.95 million with three more years of arbitration remaining, would be a better financial fit.”

Both would cost the Cubs a lot of assets, but the Cubs are desperate and in win-now mode with Kyle Tucker unlikely to re-sign.

More MLB: MLB Network analyst urges Cubs to trade for Marlins Cy Young winner