Chicago Cubs could face major dilemma when it comes to trade target asking price

The Chicago Cubs are in a tough spot, even if a quick look at their won-loss record doesn’t immediately scream it.

The last several days have been filled with buzz regarding the loss of left-handed ace Justin Steele, who will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his ailing left elbow.

The team losing its most consistent top-of-rotation arm will have a trickle down affected for not only the rest of the rotation, but for an already-inconsistent bullpen, which will likely have to pick up the slack for innings lost from Steele’s absence. The pressure will also be felt by the offense, which will have to account for higher run production to offset Justin Steele’s absence.

Over the long haul, the Cubs WILL feel the loss.

That’s why Chicago will have to make a trade for a true ace-level replacement for Steele, absolutely as soon as possible.

The Chicago Cubs Must Trade For An Ace

But with the entire league knowing the Cubs’ dire predicament and at least two-thirds of the league believing, at this early stage of the season, that they still could contend for a playoff spot, it’s very much a seller’s market for starting pitching right now.

And the already out of contention Miami Marlins, blessed with the most attractive trade fodder this season, will be demanding a prodigious haul for their rehabbed righty Sandy Alcantara.

The 2022 Cy Young award winner is coming back from Tommy John surgery, after missing all of the 2024 season, but everything has looked good for him during spring training and through his first few starts of this 2025 campaign. Velocity, control, and confidence all seem there.

The 29-year-old Alcantara is also under team control this season and next, at just over $17 million, with a $21 million team option for 2027.

The talent, the track record, and the friendly business terms make him a wildly attractive trade target whose value will only go up as the trade deadline approaches and contenders feel a greater pinch for a top shelf starter.

The Asking Price

That’s why the Cubs, likely competing with several other historically more business-aggressive teams, will have to brace themselves for a tremendous asking price when it comes to the star with the lifetime 3.34 ERA.

Mike Ostrowski of Athlon Sports took a stab at what that asking price may be for the in-demand Alcantara.

Per Ostrowski:

“The cost involved would be high, as Alcantara was widely considered the top trade target available even before the Steele injury. The Marlins got two of the Philadelphia Phillies Top-30 prospects for Jesús Luzardo in the offseason, so the Cubs will have to cough up even more for a shot at Alcantara.

This idea has Chicago offering Cade Horton (No. 2 prospect), Cristian Hernandez (No. 11), Brody McCullough (No. 23), and recent Rule 5 selection Gage Workman in exchange for Sandy.”

Four Top 30-level prospects for Alcantara actually sounds about right. And while the names of the prospects may be different, it seems reasonable (and maybe likely) that the Marlins would ask for an ace-level pitching prospect in the package for their ace-level starter.

Does It Make Sense?

So, would giving up Cade Horton for Alcantara be wise?

It has to be noted that every prospect is a gamble until proven otherwise. Horton has his own history of arm issues and there’s no guarantee that he’ll pan out as a top-of-rotation presence for the Cubs.

Plus, Chicago won’t be getting a one-year rental with Alcantara, as they would be with the majority of the other high-end pitching trade targets tied to them. They’ll be getting two and maybe three years of a pitcher who has a track record of success at what amounts to a bargain price for a staff ace.

It may be smart to go after Sandy Alcantara right now, and pay that king’s ransom for a star who could not only help the Chicago Cubs win this year, but also for the next couple seasons. Horton’s loss would be felt, but if they could hold on to the rest of their top 10 prospects and still get Alcantara, well, that seems like an acceptable loss if the goal is to win now.

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