Chicago Cubs fans won’t like this update on two potential trade targets.

Chicago Cubs insider Bruce Levine stirred up conversation across Cubs Nation during his November 25 appearance on Marquee Sports Network, where he made a bold case for a blockbuster move that could reshape Chicago’s pitching future. Speaking with conviction about the team’s direction, Levine argued that the Cubs should aggressively explore a trade for Miami Marlins ace and 2022 National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara a name that has long intrigued front offices around Major League Baseball.

Levine didn’t mince words when outlining why Alcantara should be a priority. Referencing his contract structure, Levine pointed out that Alcantara’s salary remains relatively reasonable for an elite pitcher, with the right-hander owed $17 million in 2026 and potentially $21 million in 2027 if his option is exercised. These numbers, compared to the rapidly escalating free-agent pitching market, make Alcantara an especially intriguing trade candidate.

“I’m thinking big. I’m looking for a major trade, and the guy who fits that bill is Sandy Alcantara,” Levine said, according to a clip shared on X by Marquee Sports Network. Levine emphasized that Alcantara’s performance late in the 2025 season showed flashes of the dominant form that earned him his Cy Young honor. “He looked like himself again toward the end of the year. If the Cubs could land him and pair him with Cade Horton at the top of the rotation, with the veterans filling in behind them, that’s the kind of pitching staff that can carry a team deep into October,” he added.

Levine’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among analysts that the Cubs are one major arm away from establishing a true championship-caliber rotation. Chicago’s young talent—highlighted by Horton, who is widely regarded as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball—could benefit greatly from the presence of a proven ace. And while Alcantara’s 2025 season wasn’t dominant from start to finish, his upside remains one of the most enticing in the league.

On paper, Alcantara’s overall statistics from 2025 an 11-12 record accompanied by a 5.36 ERA over 31 starts—don’t immediately scream “ace.” But these surface-level numbers mask the story of a pitcher who found his rhythm late in the year, regaining the form that once made him nearly unhittable. His final seven starts showcased that resurgence, with Alcantara posting an impressive 2.83 ERA during that stretch. More importantly, scouts and insiders noted the return of his signature traits: the explosive sinker, the sharp changeup, the durable frame, and the ability to pitch deep into games.

For the Cubs, the appeal goes beyond just statistics. Alcantara is known for his workhorse mentality—something Chicago’s rotation has lacked in recent seasons. His ability to consistently throw 200 innings when healthy makes him especially valuable in an era where bullpen usage is at an all-time high. That durability has allowed Alcantara to routinely save bullpens, preserve arms, and dominate late in games, traits that often separate playoff teams from pretenders.

From a strategic standpoint, adding someone of Alcantara’s caliber would also take pressure off Chicago’s younger pitchers. Horton, who has shown flashes of brilliance but is still developing, would benefit greatly from having a former Cy Young winner by his side. Veterans in the rotation would likewise see their roles clarified, allowing them to slot into more comfortable positions rather than being forced into mismatched responsibilities.

The trade market for Alcantara would, of course, be competitive. Miami is unlikely to part with such a valuable asset without a substantial return. The Marlins, who are transitioning into a new phase of roster construction, could be motivated to deal their ace for the right combination of prospects and young MLB-ready players. However, the cost for the Cubs or any team would be steep. Chicago would likely need to consider including several high-end prospects or controllable big-league contributors to make the Marlins take the offer seriously.

Still, Levine’s argument hinges on a larger reality: championship windows in baseball do not stay open forever. The Cubs, coming off seasons of inconsistency and near-misses, are eager to break through. They’ve built a roster with a competitive timeline that suggests urgency. Key pieces are in place—an emerging rotation, a strengthened bullpen, offensive promise, and a manager committed to long-term success. But what they lack is a true anchor atop the starting rotation, someone capable of setting the tone every fifth day.

Alcantara, when healthy and in rhythm, fits that description perfectly.

Moreover, the Cubs’ front office has shown a willingness in recent years to think creatively and aggressively. Major trades, big free-agent signings, and strategic roster reshuffling indicate a franchise ready to return to perennial contention. Adding Alcantara would be another bold step in that direction, signaling to the fanbase and the league that Chicago intends to compete at the highest level.

Skeptics may point to Alcantara’s uneven season and argue that trading for him carries risk. His performance took time to stabilize, and his ERA ballooned through multiple stretches due to inconsistency and mechanical adjustments. But supporters argue that high-end talent is worth betting on especially when the underlying tools remain intact. Alcantara’s elite velocity, his ground-ball profile, his competitive drive, and his postseason-caliber mentality make him the type of pitcher a front office dreams of acquiring.

There’s also the matter of timing. If Miami is open to listening on offers, the Cubs are positioned as well as anyone to make a compelling pitch. Their farm system is stocked with attractive young players, and their major-league roster includes several controllable pieces who could appeal to a rebuilding team.

The question becomes whether Chicago is willing to pay the necessary price and whether the Marlins are truly prepared to move on from their franchise pitcher.

For now, Levine’s comments have ignited discussion, throwing fuel onto an already simmering offseason rumor mill. Cubs fans, hungry for a dominant rotation and a return to playoff prominence, can’t help but imagine Alcantara taking the mound at Wrigley Field in a Cubs uniform, commanding the strike zone and shifting the team’s trajectory.

Whether such a blockbuster actually materializes remains to be seen. But as Levine emphasized, acquiring a pitcher of Alcantara’s caliber could transform the Cubs from hopeful contenders into legitimate threats for a deep postseason run. And in Chicago. a city that craves October magic.that alone makes the idea worth considering.