The Boston Red Sox, having successfully acquired Garrett Crochet, are considering a trade for Miami Marlins' ace Sandy Alcantara to bolster their pitching rotation. Crochet has been exceptional, leading the team with a sub-2.00 ERA, prompting speculation that acquiring another top-tier pitcher could further strengthen the team. Newsweek's Zach Pressnell posits that instead of trading the untouchable prospect Marcelo Mayer, the Red Sox could offer Cedanne Rafaela, who recently signed a $50 million extension. Alcantara, known for his stamina and ability to pitch complete games, would be a valuable addition, offering relief to the bullpen. Despite the challenge of parting with Rafaela, who has delivered strong performances, Alcantara's team-friendly contract could make the trade appealing for the Red Sox as they aim to enhance their pitching depth.

The Boston Red Sox's acquisition of Garrett Crochet has been highly successful, as he boasts a sub-2.00 ERA and is the team's leading pitcher after six starts this season.

Zach Pressnell from Newsweek suggests that the Red Sox could pursue Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara to add another ace to their rotation, building on the success of the Crochet trade.

ESPN's David Schoenfield initially suggested that the Red Sox might trade their top prospect Marcelo Mayer for Alcantara, but Pressnell argues that Mayer should remain untouchable.

Instead of parting with Mayer, Pressnell proposes trading Cedanne Rafaela, who has already delivered 15 RBIs and six stolen bases this season after signing an eight-year, $50 million extension.

Sandy Alcantara, who led the majors in complete games and innings pitched in his 2022 Cy Young season, offers the old-school durability that can provide crucial rest for the bullpen.

Alcantara's contract, with a salary of $17.3 million next season and a club option for 2027, is considered team-friendly, making him an attractive target for the Red Sox.

The potential trade involves weighing the loss of Rafaela's contributions against the strategic advantage of adding Alcantara, who could significantly strengthen the Red Sox's pitching lineup.

Acquiring Garrett Crochet from the Chicago White Sox during this past offseason is already looking like one of the best trades the Boston Red Sox have made in recent memory. 

Crochet has a sub-2.00 ERA with 44 strikeouts through six starts and is clearly the No. 1 starter for Boston. But what if the Red Sox had two aces?

The Crochet trade has gone so well that Newsweek's Zach Pressnell thinks Boston could make a similar move for Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. 

Pressnell pointed to a suggestion by ESPN's David Schoenfield that the Red Sox could be one of the top contending teams for Alcantara at the trade deadline. But while Schoenfield wrote that Boston might have to part ways with Marcelo Mayer to acquire him, Pressnell shut that down. Instead, he suggested a swap for the team's starting center fielder.

"Trading Mayer should be a no-go for the Red Sox. The star shortstop should be as untouchable as a prospect gets this season," Pressnell wrote. "Still, a trade for Alcantara isn't out of the picture for the Red Sox if they're willing to part ways with a big leaguer like Cedanne Rafaela."

In an era where pitchers go seven innings on a good day, Alcantara is an old-school hurler, capable of going the distance on any given night. During his National League Cy Young Award-winning season in 2022, Alcantara led the majors in complete games (six) and innings pitched (228.2). 

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Having a starter who can give the bullpen days off like this is incredibly valuable, which is why it wouldn’t be cheap for the Red Sox to acquire his services.

But the Marlins might be intrigued by Rafaela, who has logged 15 RBI and six stolen bases already this season, after signing an eight-year, $50 million extension with the Red Sox in April 2024.

While it would be hard to give away Rafaela after agreeing to his extension, getting a player like Alcantara on a team-friendly deal (he’ll make $17.3 million next season and has a club option for 2027) would fortify a rotation that has struggled outside of Crochet this season.

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