Conflicting reports on Sandy Alcantara's availability entering Winter Meetings

[Ely Sussman]

We have reached that stage of the MLB offseason where you can believe whichever version of reality you want. There have been a handful of major moves, but the dam hasn't fully burst yet. In the meantime, league sources are attempting to manipulate insiders to steer negotiations toward whichever outcome will ultimately benefit their team/client.

At the end of the 2025 season, Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix was non-committal about whether the organization would be retaining veteran rotation leader Sandy Alcantara. That has opened the door for rampant speculation.

According to reporting from Jeff Passan of ESPN, "teams aren't clamoring to give Miami the return it would need to give him up." He added in a separate article later in the week that "Miami is almost certain to move a starting pitcher this winter, and Edward Cabrera has generated the most interest."

Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic did not distinguish between the availability of the Dominican right-handers: "There’s a strong possibility that the Marlins end up moving one of their starters, league sources said. Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera have continued to attract serious attention from other teams."

Most recently, we have this from Bob Nightengale of USA Today as of early Sunday morning: "The Marlins have told teams that ace Sandy Alcantara is staying, but starter Edward Cabrera is available."

The general consensus is that Cabrera—who's two and a half years younger than Alcantara, coming off a much more consistent season and considerably cheaper—would bring back more talent in return if traded this winter.

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[THOMAS JOSEPH]

I, also, would be surprised at an Alcántara trade. There's likely no equitable return and there's no payroll pressure. Coming off the 79-win season, a trade in the current Marlins environment seems incongruous with the on-field vector and healing perceptions of the fan base.

[Rob V]

I think the reason immensely talented Cabrera would be available is because of his injury history and not being able to ever throw 200 innings in a season. The Fish might feel that its just a matter of time before this young man has to go for TJ surgery and they dont want to be on the hook for him when this finally happens. He didn't end 2025 well physically after being on the IL for an extended time early in the season but showed tremendous team spirit in still wanting to pitch down the stretch after being shut down once again. We all love Cabby's team spirit and sunflower seed showers for teammates who hit Hrs but I understand why he isn't being thought of as being extended or even staying till his free agent years come up.