New MLB Rumors Reveal Marlins' Trade Deadline Plans, Sandy Alcantara's Future with Miami

As the Miami Marlins prepare to head into the All-Star break squarely in the mix for a playoff spot in the National League, their approach leading up to the trade deadline has shifted to make them potential buyers.

Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Marlins intend to keep Sandy Alcantara and will look to "add strategically" to their roster prior to the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

As for where they are looking to improve, Rosenthal cited third base, the back end of their rotation and a high-leverage reliever as areas to address.

One potential strategy the Marlins could employ is trading from their MLB roster to "protect" their farm system, per Rosenthal.

The top of Miami's system has taken a hit so far in 2026 in some negative ways. Pitching prospects Robby Snelling and Thomas White, the Marlins' top two prospects entering the season, are both out for the year due to injuries.

Alcantara has been a popular trade candidate over the past two seasons, but various obstacles made it difficult to envision a deal coming together.

Last year was Alcantara's return to the mound after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. He struggled to find his groove with a 5.36 ERA in 31 starts, though the last number was very encouraging because he made it through a full year without significant physical issues.

This season hasn't seen Alcantara return to his Cy Young form from 2022, but he has been fine with a 4.00 ERA over an MLB-leading 123.2 innings entering Friday.

It's really only been five bad starts that have inflated Alcantara's ERA. He has allowed three earned runs or fewer in his other 14 starts.

There's still a world in which it's plausible Alcantara gets moved because the Marlins operate with such financial constraints and his $17.3 million salary this season accounts for more than 25 percent of their $80.7 million total payroll.

More likely, though, is Alcantara will remain in Miami for the remainder of this season and get dealt in the offseason, assuming the Marlins pick up his $21 million team option for 2027.

The Marlins have been one of MLB's pleasant surprises this season. They have won six consecutive games, improving their overall record to 52-42 and within three games of the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East.

Miami's plus-31 run differential is the seventh-best in MLB and better than every division leader in the American League.

The Marlins' last playoff appearance was in 2023 when they were swept in the best-of-three wild-card round by the Philadelphia Phillies.