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Astros GM Dana Brown
Going into the 2026 season, one query surrounding the Houston Astros is whether or not or not they changed left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez. The writing was on the wall as final season was coming to an finish that his tenure in Houston was over. That ended up being the case over the offseason, but it surely took him some time to decide his new residence.
Right earlier than spring coaching started in February, he agreed to a three-year, $115 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. That provides Detroit supervisor A.J. Hinch a robust 1-2 on the prime of the rotation with Valdez and Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young Award winner.
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Speaking of Cy Young Award winners, one pitcher whose identify was talked about as a commerce candidate this offseason was Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins. He remained in South Florida to start the season, but it surely stays to be seen if he’s nonetheless there following the commerce deadline in August.
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report listed some commerce chips for the 2026 season. Alcantara was one of many gamers talked about with Houston as a possible touchdown spot.
Houston Astros Linked To Miami Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara
Despite being rumored to be moved ultimately 12 months’s commerce deadline and this winter, Alcantara remained in Miami. He was coming back from surgery in 2025. Teams had been ready to see what he appeared like earlier than making a push for him.
However, the 30-year-old proved he had recovered from the surgical procedure that value him the 2024 marketing campaign. Alcantara went 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA in 174.2 innings with 142 strikeouts. He obtained stronger because the season went alongside. He was an enormous motive why the Marlins hung round within the National League playoff spot till the ultimate week of the season.
“The Marlins still don’t seem especially likely to give Alcantara a shot to pitch in October. And whereas he couldn’t do it right away last year, he is rounding back into his Cy Young-winning form of 2022. The righty finished last year with a 3.13 ERA over his last 12 starts. He started this year with seven scoreless innings on Opening Day. He sat in the 97 mph range with both his four-seamer and sinker, peaking at 99 mph,” Rymer wrote.
Sandy Alcantara Will Have Plenty of Suitors
If Miami’s president of baseball operations, Peter Bendix, makes Alcantara obtainable, there can be plenty of suitors. The Marlins already traded Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers over the winter. They saved Alcantara, who dazzled on Opening Day.
He pitched seven innings towards the Colorado Rockies and wanted simply 73 pitches to decide up the win. If this had been later within the season, he doubtless would have completed the sport. His stuff was on level, and he had the Rockies guessing all evening lengthy.
Reuter additionally linked the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees to Alcantara. Bendix would doubtless need prime prospects in return. He already traded Weathers to the Yankees for a haul of prospects. It’s unlikely New York would meet the asking worth once more.
As for Houston, they might use one other arm to bolster their rotation behind ace Hunter Brown. If the Astros are going to end forward of the Seattle Mariners within the American League West, one other prime arm is required, and Alcantara suits that invoice.
Scott Roche Scott Roche covers school soccer, NFL, NBA and MLB for Heavy.com and has three many years of sports activities writing, overlaying every part from school to skilled sports activities. More about Scott Roche
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