Pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training in a matter of days, meaning the 2026 MLB season is right around the corner.
There will be plenty of storylines to keep an eye on as the season begins to unfold, but arguably the biggest is whether a team in the NL is capable of taking down the Los Angeles Dodgers in the postseason.
One of those contenders could be the San Diego Padres, who finished 3.0 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West last season and have established a reputation of being aggressive in their pursuit of a World Series.
Whether it be handing out huge contracts or getting active on the trading block, the Padres are always looking to push the envelope.
Today, we’ll be evaluating a trade idea that could help San Diego get one step closer to taking down the Dodgers.
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Sandy Alcantara to the Padres: MLB Trade Idea
The Padres’ lineup is in a good spot ahead of the 2026 season. With guys like Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Manny Machado leading the way, San Diego should have a solid offense.
But if there’s one concern about this team, it’s the rotation. This offseason, they lost Dylan Cease, and Yu Darvish is contemplating retirement, both of whom were staples of the starting staff for the last few years. However, the front office hasn’t exactly brought in high-end reinforcements.
With starting pitching being a clear need in San Diego, Ryan Phillips of Sports Illustrated has identified the Padres as a potential landing spot for Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara.
Alcantara has been on the trading block for years, and Phillips believes San Diego is the most logical trade destination.
“The former NL Cy Young winner struggled mightily coming off Tommy John surgery in 2025, going 11–12 with a 5.36 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, with 165 strikeouts against 57 walks in 174 2/3 innings. That made it difficult for Miami to move him last year… But Alcántara makes a lot of sense for the Padres as a buy-low candidate,” wrote Phillips.
Should The Padres Trade For Sandy Alcantara?
If San Diego is going to beef up its rotation, Alcantara seems to be a perfect trade target.
As Phillips notes, his rough 2025 campaign would keep his price tag low, but we all know what Alcantara is capable of doing when fully healthy.
From 2021-2023, he pitched to a sub-3.20 ERA in two seasons and picked up a Cy Young in 2022 on the back of a 2.28-ERA, 8.0-WAR campaign.
When he’s rolling, Alcantara is a huge asset to any team.
There’s no guarantee that he returns to form, but the risk matches the reward for San Diego.
If the Padres are going to make a run in the postseason and get past the big, bad Dodgers, they need to play high-end baseball in all facets of the game. Unfortunately, a trio of Michael King, Nick Pivetta, and a post-Tommy John Joe Musgrove likely isn’t going to get it done from a pitching perspective.
The rotation needs some juice, and Alcantara can provide just that. And with a $17.3 million salary in 2026, the financial impact would be palatable.
Altogether, this is the kind of chance that San Diego needs to take in order to get over the hump, and Padres fans should be happy if their team makes a move to add Alcantara.
Sandy Alcantara Stats
Alcantara’s numbers in 2025 weren’t particularly impressive, but it’s important to remember that this was his first season back since having Tommy John surgery in 2023.
2025 Stats:
31 starts
11-12 record
174.2 IP
5.36 ERA
1.271 WHIP
142 Ks
Sandy Alcantara Contract
Alcantara is playing on a five-year, $56 million contract, which runs through the 2027 season. In 2026, he’s owed $17.3 million, and in 2027, his contract features a $21 million club option.