Everyone knows that the Atlanta Braves could use some more rotation depth in 2026. Not only did they say as much throughout the offseason, but they were connected to a number of available starters and that was BEFORE they lost Hurston Waldrep, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Joey Wentz to injuries. However, the market never developed the way they wanted, and now they have to turn their attention to short-term options and in-season moves to address the problem.
If there is a silver lining to Jurickson Profar's suspension, it is that the Braves don't have to pay him this year, assuming his suspension is upheld. That would free up his $15 million salary to help address the rotation, but the market was already picked mostly clean by the time the news broke, and it sounds like the Braves don't want to spend that money until they are absolutely sure that his suspension is going to go through.
That means Atlanta is likely to have a bit of a war chest heading into the trade deadline, which is right in Alex Anthopoulos' wheelhouse. Assuming the Braves are still in contention, you can probably bet a large sum that he is going to look to load up at the deadline, with pitching likely to be on his shopping list. However, a recent look at potential trade deadline candidates from CBS Sports has the Braves as a possible landing spot for Sandy Alcantara, and that is all but a lock to never happen.
Sandy Alcantara might be a fit for the Braves at the trade deadline, but the odds are astronomically low
The surface-level appeal of trading for Alcantara at some point this year is understandable. Alcantara is a recognizable name who won a Cy Young in 2022 and who throws hard. He has also been a popular trade target in general for a few years now, so there is always going to be some conversation as to where Alcantara will end up among the teams that need pitching help.
However, a deal between the Braves and Marlins for Alcantara is basically a non-starter. Atlanta is likely to be interested, but so many of Alcantara's pitching metrics after his late 2023 Tommy John surgery have regressed significantly, other than his fastball velocity. He may improve being further removed from surgery, but that is a big gamble for the Braves to make, especially when you factor in the fact that the Marlins will absolutely try to charge Atlanta a heavy premium specifically due to being in the same division.
Additionally, the timing of Alcantara's likely availability doesn't align well with the Braves' needs. Atlanta needs starting pitching help right now, and the Marlins have shown little interest in moving him this early on. By the time Alcantara is likely to be on the market, the Braves are likely to have Schwellenbach and Waldrep back, or be close to it, assuming no setbacks. Do we really think that Atlanta would pay the hefty price tag, including the in-division tax, for a pitcher with questionable metrics when they have cheaper, and possibly better, options returning from the IL?
Now, the one wrinkle that could catch the Braves' attention is that Alcantara's contract DOES have a club option for 2027. Extra team control matters, and that might be enough to make Atlanta at least entertain the idea. However, that extra year of control is also likely to make Alcantara even pricier in a trade and would make an in-division trade of this magnitude even less likely.