In baseball, few titles carry more weight than a Cy Young Award. It signifies absolute dominance. But for a past winner, the return from serious surgery can be a difficult trial of determination. This is the reality for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. He is an elite-pedigree pitcher battling to find his groove. His journey is now at a critical crossroads, with a top MLB analyst delivering a bold verdict on his future.This personal struggle unfolds within a team that is facing its own crisis. The Miami Marlins are in the basement of the NL East. As of June 10, their miserable record was 24-40, 16.5 games behind the leader. Their pitching staff has been among the worst in the league, 27th overall with a 5.03 ERA. These numbers don’t simply point to a bad season; they practically shout that the team is a clear seller when the July 31 trade deadline approaches.This situation led top MLB insider Ken Rosenthal to make a stunning prediction. Speaking on the “Nothing Personal” podcast, Rosenthal expressed conditional optimism about the pitcher. “It’s June 10th. It’s not July 31st and I still expect Sandy to come around,” he said. “He still is the bell of the ball as long as he is on an upward trend. He’s not been on an upward trend this year.” This sets the stage for a high-stakes audition.JUPITER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 19: Sandy Alcantara #22 of the Miami Marlins poses for a portrait at Roger Dean Stadium on February 19, 2025 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)Rosenthal also laid out the Marlins’ difficult strategic position. He noted that if the deadline were immediate, the team likely could not trade him yet. “But that in a shrinking window here is what they want to happen before July 31st,” Rosenthal explained. “And if you can’t make the absolute A1 trade for him, maybe you settle for less.” This reveals the front office’s urgent hope for a quick rebound to maximize their return.The Marlins’ rebuildSo, why is there any question at all about the value of a former Cy Young winner? Alcantara’s 2025 performance has been alarming. In his first 12 starts, he went 2–7 with the worst ERA of any starting pitcher in the league, 7.89. His control has been shaky at best, leading to a high 4.74 walks per nine innings. Opposing hitters are making consistent hard contact against him. These numbers are a stark departure from the ace who dominated the league just a few years ago.A deeper look at the data reveals a mechanical issue. Alcantara is getting hit hard at a 44.0% rate (well above the league average). Analysts have noticed an important difference in his delivery after surgery. His arm angle that always stayed between 34-35 degrees, has dropped to 31 degrees in 2025. This move directly affects the movement and command of the pitches. It explains why he is “missing middle-middle” on a lot of his pitches despite his efforts.It is not all terrible news for the hard-throwing righty, however. Alcantara has a history of resilience, and that has carried him to his unanimous 2022 Cy Young season. Most of all, his elite velocity has held strong, his fastball still averaging nearly 97 mph. Rosenthal himself observed that a recent start had produced “a little bit of a different mix, more success.” These flashes of his old self provide hope that he can turn things around before the deadline.Alcantara is not the only valuable piece the Marlins could move to accelerate their rebuild. The organization is widely expected to be open for business on multiple fronts. Pitcher Edward Cabrera, who has “electric stuff,” could draw significant interest from contenders. Reliable bullpen arm Anthony Bender is another name that could be on the move. This shows the Marlins are committed to a full-scale overhaul, with Alcantara as their biggest potential prize.Despite his struggles, contenders like the Yankees, Dodgers, and Giants are watching closely. Alcantara is much more than a rental player. His contract gives a team control through the 2027 season. This makes him an incredibly attractive long-term asset. The next few weeks will determine his value. Can Alcantara show enough progress to command the “A1 trade” the Marlins desperately want? His upcoming starts are now must-see television.The post Marlins Receive Bold Verdict on Sandy Alcantara as Top MLB Analyst Drops Stunning Trade Deadline Prediction appeared first on EssentiallySports.