Marlins 'haven't yet decided' whether to trade Sandy Alcantara in 2025

Last year's unconventional Luis Arraez trade has distorted everybody's understanding of the MLB trade market. The five-player deal that sent the reigning National League batting champ to the San Diego Padres on May 4 was the exception, not the new norm for the Miami Marlins under Peter Bendix.

On Monday, Will Sammon of The Athletic reported what I figured was already obvious: the Marlins won't be handling Sandy Alcantara the same way. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald also hears that "they are in no rush to decide" on whether to shop him.

Unlike in 2024 when they instantly faded from postseason contention, Miami currently owns an 8-7 record, one game out of an NL wild card spot. "Marlins officials share more optimism regarding their roster than they did a year ago," per Sammon, specifically in regards to the pitching staff.

It is premature to say that the 2025 Marlins are going to keep this up. Lacking talent and experience outside of their ace, they will likely wind up being sellers again come July 31. However, unless they are approached with an extremely generous offer and have internal concerns about Alcantara recapturing his pre-Tommy John surgery form, trade talks can wait until much closer to the deadline. Undermanned as they may be on paper, they'll continue to try winning games in the meantime.

Through three regular season starts, Alcantara has a 4.70 ERA, 3.85 FIP and .182 BAA in 15 ⅓ innings pitched. He's lined up to face the Philadelphia Phillies in his next outing on Friday.