Early NY Mets trade deadline fantasy became an even bigger dream for July

If David Stearns and the New York Mets had a trade deadline wish list, Sandy Alcántara’s name would probably be written in bold, underlined twice, and circled for emphasis. After Tuesday night, they might as well laminate it. The former Cy Young winner looked every bit the ace against New York, allowing just two runs on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts over five efficient innings (only 70 pitches). He finished his night by setting down the last eight batters he faced, leaving Mets fans staring longingly at the calendar, wondering if July could bring a blockbuster.

What will it take to pry Alcántara from Miami, and will the Mets be the team that gets it done?

Since Jon Morosi mentioned on MLB Network’s Hot Stove in early March that he expected Sandy Alcántara to be traded by July, the MLB rumor mill has been working overtime. Mock trades, speculation, and wishful thinking have flooded the baseball world, especially fans in Queens. With a farm system stocked with rising prospects, an owner eager to win now, and a glaring need for a frontline starter, it’s no surprise the Mets are being talked about as favorites to land the Marlins’ ace.

The price tag will be high, but proven talent always trumps potential especially when that talent comes with a Cy Young résumé and a track record of dominance. In 2022, Alcántara posted a 2.88 ERA, a sparkling 0.98 WHIP, and 207 strikeouts over an MLB-leading 228 2/3 innings. And this isn’t just a short-term rental—his contract locks him in for two more seasons at a reasonable $38.3 million, with a team option for 2027.

What was once a trade deadline fantasy is quickly becoming a necessity. With Sean Manaea suffering a setback that pushes his return to June, the Mets' rotation doesn’t appear to have last season’s ace anytime soon. Meanwhile, Alcántara just spent the night showing Met fans exactly what they’re missing, a battle-tested ace who could be the difference between another wild-card scramble and a legitimate October run. If New York wasn’t already serious about making a move, they better be now. The price tag for Alcántara isn’t just rising, it’s becoming unavoidable.