CHICAGO, IL – The pressure on the Chicago Cubs front office to make a definitive statement move this offseason has reached a crescendo, and one prominent MLB insider is pushing them toward the boldest option on the board: acquiring an NL ace via a blockbuster trade.
According to MLB insider Bruce Levine of the Marquee Sports Network, relying on incremental upgrades or mid-level additions is not enough for the Cubs to close the gap in the competitive NL Central and become a legitimate postseason threat. The clear message: Chicago needs a true No. 1.
The Target: Sandy Alcantara
Levine specifically urged the Cubs to focus their efforts on trading for 2022 NL Cy Young winner, Sandy Alcantara, from the Miami Marlins.
“So I’m looking for a big trade for a guy that’s making $17 million in 2026, possibly $21 million in 2027. That’s Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins,” Levine asserted. He added that securing Alcantara would create a “championship-caliber rotation” when paired with homegrown star Cade Horton.
This recommendation highlights the growing sentiment that the Cubs must move beyond relying solely on the returning Justin Steele and the emergence of Cade Horton (who won Rookie of the Year). They need a proven, dominant anchor.
The Case for the Blockbuster Trade
Acquiring a top-tier pitcher via trade, rather than free agency, aligns perfectly with the Cubs’ cautious long-term financial strategy:
- Cost Control: Alcantara comes with two years of cost control ($17.3M in 2026 and a $21M club option in 2027), providing ace-caliber pitching without the long-term, nine-figure commitment required for a free agent like the recently signed Dylan Cease.
- Proven Ace Upside: While Alcantara had a difficult start to 2025 returning from elbow surgery, he returned to form late in the season, posting a remarkable 2.68 ERA over his final eight starts, reminding the league of his Cy Young potential.
- October Anchor: The Cubs need someone who can dominate in October, and Alcantara’s ability to pitch deep into games and carry a rotation is unmatched, relieving pressure on the bullpen and Jameson Taillon.
The Window is Open
The Marlins are widely expected to entertain offers for their top starters as they enter a rebuilding phase, and other NL pitchers like the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore and the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta have also surfaced in trade rumors.
The window for the Cubs to strike is open, but only if President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer is willing to pay the price in prospects. According to Levine, now is the moment to strike before another contender beats them to the punch and cements the gap in the NL Central.
