It has been no secret that the Atlanta Braves are expected to prioritize adding a starting pitcher before the MLB trade deadline. General manager Alex Anthopoulos openly acknowledged that need back in June, and Atlanta’s rotation has since taken another hit following Spencer Strider’s injury and Bryce Elder’s struggles. However, the path to landing a quality arm may have become even more difficult.
The pitching market was already shaping up to heavily favor sellers. With much of Major League Baseball still within striking distance of a postseason berth, very few teams have committed to selling. Those that have often lack premium talent to offer, leaving contenders to compete over a limited pool of quality starters.
As a result, the pitchers who are available are expected to command steep asking prices while attracting significant interest from multiple clubs.
Now, another potential trade target may no longer be on the market at all.
Sandy Alcantara Reportedly No Longer Expected to Be Available
Even before the latest developments, acquiring Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara was always considered a long shot for Atlanta. Trading within the National League East typically comes with a hefty premium, meaning the Braves would likely have needed to pay well above market value to convince the Marlins to make a deal.
Now, that possibility appears even more remote.
According to USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, Marlins owner Bruce Sherman has informed team officials that he wants to keep Alcantara, with the organization reportedly having “absolutely no intention of trading him at the deadline.”
If Alcantara is indeed unavailable, the already thin market for frontline starters becomes even more competitive. Nearly every contender remains in search of pitching help, while the list of realistic trade candidates continues to shrink. Even Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, another frequently discussed trade target for Atlanta, could remain with the Tigers if their recent surge keeps them in postseason contention.
Braves Still Expected to Pursue Starting Pitching
Despite the increasingly challenging market, Atlanta’s need for rotation help has not changed.
The Braves are hopeful that AJ Smith-Shawver will return in the near future, while prospects Owen Murphy and JR Ritchie could eventually emerge as reliable major league starters. However, each of those options carries significant uncertainty, making an external addition the safer approach.
Although the market is becoming more difficult to navigate, Anthopoulos is still expected to remain active. Finding the right deal may be considerably tougher, but standing pat does not appear to be a realistic option as the Braves continue searching for reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline.
