Marlins' Sandy Alcantara voted by MLB execs as most popular trade candidate

During the 2025 MLB season, there was a ton of smoke about a potential trade with Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara.

Coming off a missed season due to injury, he struggled to begin the season, but leading up to the trade deadline, he began turning things around. And now, his value has skyrocketed back up, and he will cost a ton to acquire.

But, according to a poll from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand of MLB executives, 20% of the 20 polled execs believe that Alcantara is the top trade candidate this year, just as he was last season.

Marlins' Sandy Alcantara once again top trade candidate per MLB execs

"The Marlins are hanging around the .500 mark this season," Feinsand writes, "but unless they plan on making a large financial commitment to extend Alcantara, his value will never be higher than it will be this summer given that additional year of control."

Miami might be best off selling Alcantara this season, as Feinsand notes, their return for the Cy Young winner might not get better than it will be this year.

They were patient last year and were proven right by not trading him at the deadline. His value is great right now, and he makes a ton of sense as a player who could be moved this year.

Alcantara could bring back a huge return from a top contender that needs starting pitching help at this year's deadline.

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A team like the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, or Cincinnati Reds might be willing to part with some good prospects to land Alcantara.

As one American League executive said to Feinsand for this poll: "Nothing moves the trade market like a good starting pitcher."

This is the best chance the Marlins might get to trade Alcantara, and they should seriously consider moving their ace due to how great a return they realistically could get.

Alcantara was voted as the most popular trade deadline candidate this season, and for good reason. Teams will be interested, and the Marlins should look to make a deal as the value won't ever be better than it is right now.

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