Yankees and Mets rotation woes could be solved by the same pitcher

The Miami Marlins might be a fun and frisky bunch, but it is hard to imagine them making any real noise in a stacked National League any time soon. As a result, they may have to part ways with starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara. New York would fit him perfectly.

Miami has said they do not intend to trade the 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner, but both the New York Mets and New York Yankees have the assets to make the Marlins an offer that they won't be able to turn down. Further, both clubs are close enough to winning a title that their front offices may not mind surrendering players who are still years away from being key major league pieces.

Why Sandy Alcantara would fit Yankees and Mets perfectly

The Mets' pitching has been a topic of discussion since the start of spring training. They lost Luis Severino and Jose Quintana this offseason, and began the year with both Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea on the injury list.

While other members of the Mets' rotation have performed admirably thus far, they do not have a true ace. Manaea and Kodai Senga could theoretically be this sort of presence, but neither has the same raw "stuff" that Alcantara brings to the table. The Mets' clubhouse also seems to support a potential deal for the 29-year-old.

“If he goes to a team that has a chance to compete at the end, I think you are going to see who he is,” Juan Soto said of Alcantara when asked about the righty. “He is doing that on a team that has no serious chance to go to the playoffs, but he keeps trying and competing even without run support. Whenever he goes to a winning team you are going to see what Sandy Alcantara is capable of.”

The Yankees' case for an Alcantara deal may be even more powerful. Gerrit Cole is not returning until next season. Luis Gil is still recovering from a high-grade right lat strain. Carlos Rodon has been good but not great to start 2025. Clarke Schmidt, Marcus Stroman, and Will Warren all vary in terms of consistency.

If that doesn't make the case for the Yankees to make a full bore pursuit of Alcantara, consider that Carlos Carrasco has authored a 7.71 ERA in three starts this season and is no danger of falling out of the rotation.

Simply put, the Yankees need another starter to back up Max Fried. A potential playoff trio that includes Fried, Alcantara, and either Rodon or Gil would be a formidable arrangement against what could be an enhanced American League field after the trade deadline.

Aaron Judge, Anthony Volpe, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and others help form a powerful lineup. But, the Yankees may not be able to maximize their championship window unless they spring for another starting pitcher. Even if it means parting with a prospect like Spencer Jones, it may be a worthwhile investment.

The Marlins don't seem ready to part with Alcantara, but it is undeniable that he would fit New York's needs. It remains to be seen which borough's club might believe he's the missing link.

More MLB Analysis From Call To The Pen: