Gomez: Toronto Blue Jays Have Inquired About Sandy Alcantara

[Matthew Lenz]

The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to bolster their starting rotation over the next six days. So, it's not necessarily a position of need at the moment. If they learned anything from earlier this year, it's that they need to have a plan in place in case injuries strike again.

After being tied to the San Diego Padres' Dylan Cease earlier in the week, Hector Gomez is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have inquired about Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.

Alcantara's 2025 season has been a challenging one as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. Through 20 starts and 104 innings pitched, Alcantara has a high 6.66 ERA, which is two runs higher than his FIP, suggesting he's been particularly unlucky with balls in play or hasn't received strong defensive support. His strikeout rate (K%) is down to 16.7%, and his walk rate (BB%) is up to 8.9%, leading to an abysmal K-BB% of 7.8%. While there have been a few promising starts, he has largely struggled to find the consistency that made him a Cy Young winner. He is controllable through next season with a $17.3 million salary.

Would you rather see the Blue Jays add Cease or Alcantara? Join the conversation in the comments!

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[Grant77]

I don't think we need a project pitcher at this point. In the off-season, sure, but I think a reliever would be a better fit and make a bigger impact.

[Eat My Shatkins]

1 hour ago, Grant77 said:

I don't think we need a project pitcher at this point. In the off-season, sure, but I think a reliever would be a better fit and make a bigger impact.

I think they'd best be adding one starter and two relievers.

[Terminator]

Scherzer seems to be healthyish and Lauer is definitely solidifying himself as a guy so it does raise the bar on the kind of pitcher who can actually contribute. 

But on the other hand I want the AL East Crown and our SP depth isn't that great. I would not be shocked if Scherzer got hurt and/or Lauer starts to regress. 

Since June, Sandy has made 9 starts and he's averaging 6 innings a start with a 3.60 FIP.  I definitely think he helps.

[glory]

To me this depends entirely on the cost. If the Marlins are holding out for a 2022 Sandy return, then it doesn't make sense, but if the Jays can get him at a more reasonable cost, then to me it's a no brainer. He's the SP to get. Not only is he controllable beyond 2025, but I think there's a strong chance he finishes the year strong. Stuff+ and Location+ are both good, and on the Jays he'd have elite defense behind him and probably the best defensive catching/framing tandem in the league. The alternatives are buying high on Ryan (if he's even available), Cabrera, Keller, etc, and giving up way more prospect capital.

With the way the Jays have prioritized extra rest and low pitch counts for the geezers in the rotation this season, I think running a 6 man rotation is probably something they not only wouldn't mind doing but might be planning on as well. The last time they had a shot at the division at this point in the season was 2016, where they acquired a struggling Francisco Liriano and went with a 6 man rotation down the stretch. 

[Terminator]

11 minutes ago, glory said:

To me this depends entirely on the cost. If the Marlins are holding out for a 2022 Sandy return, then it doesn't make sense, but if the Jays can get him at a more reasonable cost, then to me it's a no brainer. He's the SP to get. Not only is he controllable beyond 2025, but I think there's a strong chance he finishes the year strong. Stuff+ and Location+ are both good, and on the Jays he'd have elite defense behind him and probably the best defensive catching/framing tandem in the league. The alternatives are buying high on Ryan (if he's even available), Cabrera, Keller, etc, and giving up way more prospect capital.

With the way the Jays have prioritized extra rest and low pitch counts for the geezers in the rotation this season, I think running a 6 man rotation is probably something they not only wouldn't mind doing but might be planning on as well. The last time they had a shot at the division at this point in the season was 2016, where they acquired a struggling Francisco Liriano and went with a 6 man rotation down the stretch. 

Always buy low!

Difference between Sandy and Keller isn't that big tbh, but you would be buying low on Sandy and buying high on Keller.

[Grant77]

52 minutes ago, Eat My Shatkins said:

I think they'd best be adding one starter and two relievers.

If we must add a starter, it should be a cheap depth guy, so we can spend our prospects on relievers. We have 5 guys that are all doing well right now, so it would have to be a ace calibre guy to make any impact.

Steven Matz would be a nice depth option that we could put in the 'pen for now.

[glory]

11 minutes ago, Terminator said:

Always buy low!

Difference between Sandy and Keller isn't that big tbh, but you would be buying low on Sandy and buying high on Keller.

Yeah no argument from me. If I had to choose between those two SP's to add to the current rotation, then I go with Sandy as well. The Jays need an ace, not more of the same, and Sandy is one of the few SP's you can get on the trade market right now with that ceiling without (presumably) having to give up an ace-like trade package. Maybe it's a long shot that he's fixable in time for October, but I'd take that shot depending on what it would cost to get him.