MLB Insiders Expect Cubs Will Target Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen at Trade Deadline

MLB Insiders Expect Cubs Will Target Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen at Trade Deadline originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Chicago Cubs are among many teams looking to land a starting pitcher at the trade deadline. While plenty of options are on the market, two stand out as having the most desirable resumes.

According to MLB insiders Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic, the Cubs are one of many teams interested in those two starters: Miami Marlins Sandy Alcantara and Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen.

"The Padres, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros," Mooney and Sammon write, "and Toronto Blue Jays are among the clubs that could play in this part of the pitching market."

That "part of the pitching market" refers to starters who haven't been playing well lately, but have strong resumes that could qualify them as an ace.

Alcantara and Gallen are the two names to which this applies at the deadline. This is noteworthy because the Marlins and Diamondbacks might not move them unless they get a return befitting their ace status from years past.

While most teams likely won't acquiesce, the Cubs, amid their dire need following the injury to Jameson Taillon, could look to spend a lot on either former ace.

Gallen in 2025 has a 5.58 ERA and has allowed the most home runs in the National League this season, with 23. Compared to his performances from 2022 to 2024, this season has been a major let-down.

Alcantara has also been struggling. He has a 6.66 ERA in 20 starts and has allowed the most earned runs this season at 77.

Compared to his Cy Young Award-winning 2022 season, when he had a 2.28 ERA, 8.0 WAR, 207 strikeouts, and six complete games, it's been a dramatic fall-off for Alcantara after missing the 2024 season due to injury.

Both Gallen and Alcantara were better in the past and were considered staff aces at one point. While they've been bad this season, the Cubs are still interested in acquiring one of them.

Taking a chance on either, with he hope they can return to form, is a risk, but one the Cubs are, according to Mooney and Sammon, willing to take.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.