5 players the Cleveland Guardians should target in trade talks

2. Sandy Alcantara - Miami Marlins

If there is one area on the roster that everyone should expect the Cleveland Guardians to target this offseason, it is their starting rotation. There are going to be plenty of options for teams to pick from, but if the Miami Marlins were to make Sandy Alcantara genuinely available, the Guardians should be interested.

Alcantara missed all of 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery following the 2023 season. With his $17.3 million salary over the next two seasons and a $21 million club option for 2027, the rebuilding Marlins may look to deal Alcantara in an effort to help reset their competitive timeline (again). If this turns out to be the case, Cleveland should make sure they are one of the teams who are seriously vying for his services.

Of course, the high salary attached to Alcantara may be a reason the Guardians may not make an aggressive run for his services. Considering the risk-averse approach that Cleveland has utilized over the years, the combination of Alcantara's high salary and coming off Tommy John surgery may be just enough for the Guardians to not seriously pursue a trade for the former Cy Young Award winner.