Not too long ago, the Dodgers looked like they were cruising. But oh, how quickly things can change in baseball! The mighty NL West powerhouse hit a serious bump in the road during their clash with the Giants—not only did they drop their top spot in the standings, but their spark seemed to fizzle out right when they needed it most. Although they’ve since clawed their way back to the top, all is not smooth sailing in Dodgerland. A 5-5 win-loss ratio in their last 10? That’s not exactly screaming dominance, especially for a team built to contend for a World Series ring. And if there’s one thing we know about the Dodgers, it’s that they don’t settle for mediocrity.With the trade deadline approaching in a month and a half, all teams are making clear attempts to ensure that they are strong enough to compete well. The Dodgers, who are aiming to defend their World Series title, are no exception. And as per the latest rumors swirling in the market, the player targeted by the team is none other than Marlins’ $56 million Ace, Sandy Alcantara. According to USA Today journalist Bob Nightengale, Alcantara, who returned this season from a Tommy John Surgery, is gaining back his form and will be a hot candidate in the trade market. And among the teams interested in his pursuit, the Dodgers are one of the leading contenders. “The Dodgers, who have plenty of prospects, are one of the teams lurking,” wrote Nightengale, while discussing Alcantara’s trade chances. And the desire is pretty much understandable. The #Dodgers are “one of the teams lurking” in the trade market for #Marlins SP Sandy Alcantara, per @BNightengale pic.twitter.com/oiCTEyVkmm— MLB Deadline News (@MLBDeadlineNews) June 15, 2025Alcantara struggled quite badly when he returned from the surgery. In his first 11 games, he had a concerning ERA of 8.47. The situation was so bad that top analysts like Buster Olney went on to claim that teams are simply “not going to invest in him” heavily right now.” However, Alcantara changed things around for himself. In his past two games, his ERA stood at just 1.50, sending a strong message to the doubters. In his last two starts, he went six innings each time, including a masterful, six-inning shutout with six strikeouts in a win over the Colorado Rockies—a glimpse of the dominance that once made him one of the game’s most feared arms. And with the Dodgers facing injuries to top stars, including Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, Evan Phillips, and Roki Sasaki, the franchise would be left with no option but to trade for a strong arm. But if the Dodgers wish to trade for Alcantara, what will be the cost they need to pay? Well, the Marlins will absolutely try to exploit the franchise that trades Alcantara. Marlins predicted to go strategically with Sandy AlcantaraThe 2022 Cy Young Award winner is the type of talent that can turn a playoff contender into a championship favorite. However, with various teams in the fray for Alcantara, the Marlins would attempt to trade him for the best deal. In fact, with Alcantara once again returning to the elite form, the chances are even higher. But for teams, the buyout will not be as easy as it seems. Speaking about the same in his Nothing Personal Podcast, ex-Marlins President David Samson predicted, “The Marlins are gonna absolutely try to crush someone in a trade for Sandy,” adding that the team is likely to pull off an “anti-trade” reminiscent of their deal which sent Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis. Remember, in the Ozuna trade, the team secured a solid package of prospects from the Cardinals. And not to forget, this also included Alcantara himself.However, Alcantara is under team control with a club option, so Miami has no reason to rush a decision. If his resurgence continues, the Marlins could command a significant return, but for now, they’re content to see if their ace can truly turn the page.Meanwhile, the Dodgers will have some fierce competition as well. Some other top teams that are expected to be in a battle are the Cubs and Brewers. Even the Yankees could jump into the trade talks, making things more difficult. So, will the Dodgers be able to acquire Sandy Alcantara? Well, that remains to be seen!The post Dodgers Tipped for Bold Trade Deadline Move on Marlins’ $56M Ace Amid Mounting Pitching Woes appeared first on EssentiallySports.