The Baltimore Orioles have had a dreadful season thus far. They currently are 32-42 and sit in last place in the American League East.
However, they have performed quite a bit better in recent weeks and now find themselves just six games back in the Wild Card race, so their postseason hopes aren't dead just yet.
If they do fight their way back into the race, they will need to acquire a top-level starter to boost their rotation.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic proposed the idea of Baltimore trading for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara.
"The Orioles desperately need an ace and Alcantara, if he continues to pitch well, could be a great fit — plus he’s under team control through 2027. Alcantara has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last three starts. There have also been positive signs with his stuff and command, despite his subpar overall numbers (6.88 ERA, 1.47 WHIP), as the former Cy Young Award winner gets more comfortable in his first season since undergoing Tommy John surgery," Bowden wrote.
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It has certainly been a trying year for Alcantara in his return from Tommy John surgery. He missed all of 2024 recovering from it.
But if he continues to pitch well, he could be a key addition for the Orioles in the event that they show interest in him. He has two years of club control plus a club option for 2027.
That alone makes him an attractive trade piece, and while his value might have lowered some thanks to his struggles, the Orioles won't be able to get him for cheap.
Having a frontline starter could give them the boost they need to finally get back into the race. They did not replace Corbin Burnes last offseason.
It will be interesting to see what Baltimore decides to do and if they play their way into buyer's territory.
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