The New York Mets added superstar Juan Soto and re-signed slugger Pete Alonso this winter. Those moves overshadowed the additions of Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes to their starting rotation. However, with Montas now set to miss an extended period, the Mets may have to bring in another arm.
The Mets’ addition of Soto while giving Alonso a deal that lets him opt out after the season indicates that they are all in for this season. Their rotation lacked a true ace as it was, and losing Montas puts some pressure on them thanks to their lofty expectations. While listing players that could be traded, and their potential landing spots, Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer suggested Sandy Alcántara could be in play for the Mets.
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Alcántara did not pitch in 2024 for the Miami Marlins as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he is a two-time All-Star and the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner. He may be up for trade on a rebuilding Marlins team. He was unable to follow his Cy Young Award season with a strong year, perhaps making him a cheaper acquisition than he should be.
He signed a five-year, $56 million extension in 2021 and has two seasons remaining with a $21 million club option for 2027. The Mets could swing a trade to replace Montas with a true ace while also having him around for the next few seasons.
Alcántara has a 3.32 career ERA in 146 games. During his stellar 2022 season, he led Major League Baseball with 228 2/3 innings pitched and 6 complete games. He also had a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts.
Adding Alcántara while his value is as low as it has ever been could be a high-upside move for the Mets.
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