Marlins' 12-game skid drops playoff hopes, puts ace Sandy Alcantara on trade radar
Miami's 12-game losing streak, the longest in franchise history, has pushed the team to the bottom of the NL East and left its Wild Card chances uncertain, prompting speculation about a possible trade of pitcher Sandy Alcantara before the August 3 deadline.
The Miami Marlins entered the second half of the season with a strong record, but a 12-game losing streak has now placed them fourth in the NL East and three games behind the division leader. The slump, which began after a sweep of the Athletics and Mariners in early July, has also reduced the club to a three-game Wild Card deficit, with odds of reaching the postseason falling to between 8% and 12% according to several analytics sites.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Marlins intended to retain Sandy Alcantara and consider a trade at the deadline, "barring an utter collapse." The team has not won a game since that report and has been swept in each of its first three series after the All-Star break, including a recent home sweep by the Padres.
Offensively, the Marlins have struggled, scoring only 25 runs in the second half, a total surpassed by only two other clubs. Rookie catcher Joe Mack has hit three home runs in the span but otherwise contributed little, and the rest of the lineup has performed below league average.
The upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies features a pitching matchup between Alcantara and Aaron Nola, offering the Marlins a chance to win at least one game. However, the team must improve its performance against top NL pitchers to reverse the trend.
With the deadline approaching, Miami’s limited payroll—approximately $83.5 million, the second lowest in MLB—constrains its ability to acquire short-term assets. The most likely focus is on Alcantara, who is under club control through 2027 via a $21 million option and has posted a 4.01 ERA over 22 starts this season, including a 3.29 ERA in his last ten outings.
If the Marlins decide not to extend Alcantara, his trade value could decline as his contract approaches expiration. An extension would likely require an annual salary in the $25-30 million range, which may be difficult for a club operating on a modest payroll unless future collective bargaining agreements introduce a salary floor.
Other roster moves appear limited. The team’s only free-agent closer, Pete Fairbanks, carries a high ERA and a $12 million salary, making a trade for salary relief unlikely to yield significant return. Potentially tradable pieces include setup man Michael Petersen, who has performed well this season, but any such deal would depend on the Marlins’ performance in the coming weeks.
The Marlins’ next four-game road series against the New York Mets could provide an opportunity to improve their record and regain momentum before the trade deadline.