Marlins Pitcher Could Help Padres Via Trade, Says Former MLB Outfielder
The San Diego Padres can’t be too upset with their place in the MLB standings one-third of the way through the 2026 season. At 31-23 through May 27, they’re within striking distance of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers (35-20) in the National League West, and would host a Wild Card game if the postseason started today.
The Padres could also feel just a tad nervous about their chances of going far in the postseason, given the state of their starting rotation.
More news:Giants Pitcher Could Become Top MLB Trade Target if Struggles Continue
After Michael King (4-3, 2.76 ERA), Randy Vásquez (5-3, 3.28) and Lucas Giolito (2-0, 2.70), the Padres don’t have a healthy starter with an ERA under 5.00.
Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove were supposed to be the answer. But both have been sidelined by injuries, with no return date circled for either pitcher.
Tony Gwynn Jr., the former Padres outfielder and longtime TV and radio analyst, thinks one starter in particular could boost the team’s rotation via trade.
“”The name that jumps out to me is Sandy Alcántara,” Gwynn told Buster Olney on the Baseball Tonight podcast. “I mean, I think it’s an (Padres president of baseball operations) AJ Preller type name and move that I think would be a huge piece, especially given the unknown of Joe Musgrove at this point … and Nick Pivetta - I don’t want to forget him - both of those guys are out with really no timetable on when they’re coming back.”
More news: The Rockies Best Player is a Surprise - And an Obvious Trade Candidate
At 26-30, the Marlins would need to leapfrog six teams to jump back into the NL Wild Card picture. Their deficit isn’t insurmountable, but it’s deep enough that they can expect to receive a few phone calls between now and Aug. 3 if their fortunes don’t improve.
Alcántara, 30, is 3-3 with a 4.00 ERA in 11 starts. The 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner had a rough return to action in 2025, his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, but appears to be rounding back into form.
More news: Mets Promote Prospect, Stirring Uniform Number Controversy
Armed with a fastball that’s averaging 97.2 mph, and having not missed a start to this point in the season, Alcántara will be in demand if the Marlins are willing to trade him. Teams with deeper farm systems than the Padres’ will be interested, too.
Preller is known for making trades the baseball industry considers impossible. Last year, he orchestrated a stunning six-player deadline trade that sent top prospect Leo De Vries to the A’s for closer Mason Miller.
The Marlins currently hold a club option on Alcántara for $21 million for the 2027 season. The Padres - or any team - would get Alcántara for this season and next. The question is not whether their rotation could use him; it’s whether they have the prospect capital to pry him loose.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 3:04 PM.