Marlins urged to finally trade Sandy Alcantara for $21 million reason

The Miami Marlins are a team that's hovering around .500 this season, and could wind up as a fringe postseason team, or a clear seller by the August 3 trade deadline.

While Miami could avoid acting as sellers, for the future of the franchise, it might be better if they do sell. There is one reason why Miami should sell: Sandy Alcantara.

Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report is urging the Marlins to trade Alcantara this summer by the trade deadline, and for good reason. With a $21 million club option in 2027, the time is now to get the best possible return for Alcantara.

Marlins urged to trade Sandy Alcantara for a huge return while they still can

"What also makes the two-time All-Star attractive is his contract includes an affordable $21 million club option for 2027, so he wouldn't be a rental," Kelly writes. "That may make this summer the opportune time for the Marlins to trade the greatest pitcher in their franchise's history, assuming they aren't in contention."

The Marlins should have no qualms about trading Alcantara at this point. He's been rumored to be in trade talks for a year now, with teams last year believing they had a real chance to trade for him.

But his struggles led to lower offers, and the Marlins took a chance, keeping him for another year. That's worked out, as Alcantara has a 4.18 ERA this season, a bit better than the 5.36 ERA he posted during the 2025 season.

That's enough of a difference that the Marlins should be able to get a better return for the former Cy Young winner. But he should be traded now, and not during the offseason.

MORE: Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM

The reason why is clear: this is the best time to trade Alcantara. The right-hander is not a terrible starter right now, and he's under control for another season.

From the perspective of an acquiring team, adding Alcantara wouldn't just be for the 2026 season; it would be for the 2027 season as well.

Roughly 1.5 years of Alcantara, plus a postseason or two, is a lot more valuable than just one year and one postseason, which would be the case if Miami doesn't trade him in the coming month or so.

If the Marlins trade him, it will be sad to see him go. But, for the best possible return, and the future of the Marlins franchise, trading Alcantara this season makes the most sense.

More MLB news:

• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
• Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
• Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution
• Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius