Would you do this trade to bring another Alcántara to Miami?

Following the blockbuster trade sending Miami Marlins second baseman Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres, the Miami Marlins have begun a rebuilding process once again. Arraez was the first to go, but certainly won't be the last. Particularly for Marlins players who are nearing free agency, it is just a matter of when they will be shopped to contending teams.

At 22-15 entering Wednesday, the Chicago Cubs should be aggressive buyers. Their main weakness to this point in the 2024 season has been the bullpen, which ranks 23rd in the majors in fWAR, 24th in ERA and 26th in walk rate. According to Dave Kaplan of ESPN 1000, the Marlins and Cubs "could be working on a deal for a reliever."

Miami closer Tanner Scott would make the most sense to be dealt if that is the case. Since being acquired by the Marlins in 2022, Scott has posted a 3.14 ERA, 3.03 FIP, 12.2 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9 with 36 saves in 154 ⅔ innings pitched. Last year, he had one of the best seasons in franchise history for a relief pitcher. Earning a salary of $5.7M this season, the 29-year-old is a pending free agent.

 

Scott has frequently struggled with his control during his career, including at the start of this season. Fortunately for the Marlins, he's been more effective lately, striking out the side against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday while averaging 97.5 mph on his fastball. He has allowed earned runs in only two of 15 appearances in 2024.

Although the MLB trade deadline is nearly three months away, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix can maximize the return  for Scott by moving him earlier so that the acquiring team can use him more. Waiting until the deadline would allow Bendix to negotiate with more teams, but there is also the risk of an injury occurring between now and then.

The Cubs opened this season with Adbert Alzolay as their closer, but have since switched to Héctor Neris. Even if Scott doesn't move into that role, he can be used in high-leverage situations, especially when there are left-handed batters due up.

In the Arraez trade, the Marlins focused on quantity over quality. Let's imagine that for Scott, they try to get the best individual prospect possible.

Kevin Alcántara, 21, was acquired from the New York Yankees in the Anthony Rizzo trade. The Dominican outfielder has progressed to the Double-A level where he is currently slashing .220/.268/.385/.653 with four home runs, six RBIs and a 97 wRC+. He is ranked as Chicago's #6 prospect, according to Northside Baseball. (There is no relation between him and Sandy Alcantara, to be clear.)

Standing at 6'6", 188 pounds, what stands out about Alcántara is the impressive speed and outfield defense he has at that size. He is capable of sticking in center, but his strong arm can profile him well in right field.

Along with Jakob Marsee (Arraez trade) and Shane Sasaki (Jon Berti trade), the addition of Alcántara would complete the makeover of the Marlins' Double-A outfield. The righty hitter has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order run producer in Miami as soon as 2025.

Would you be willing to trade Scott to the Cubs right now if Alcántara was being offered?