The Miami Marlins are expected to shop starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara this season. Miami traded away almost all of its big-league talent last season with Alcantara staying on the roster as he recovered from elbow surgery.

Now that Alcantara is healthy and back on the mound, he’s shown that his arm is doing perfectly fine. The righty has his elite stuff and velocity back, which makes him a likely trade candidate in 2025.

FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently favored the New York Mets as a potential landing spot for Alcantara this season.

“New York doesn’t quite know what to expect from the majority of their rotation, especially since Sean Manea and Frankie Montas are set to start the season on the IL,” Mountz wrote. “While both pitchers will likely return before too long, the Mets lack a clear anchor for their rotation behind Kodai Senga.

“Acquiring Alcantara would not only provide them said anchor, but also the brand-new ace they had attempted to find in Cease. The Mets have a very deep farm system, with several talented pieces ready to make the jump.”

The Mets need to add a starter at the top of their rotation. While they have some respectable names on the mound, they don’t have an ace. Alcantara would give them just that, though it would be at a cost.

It’s unclear whether the Marlins would be willing to trade their ace to a division rival, but the Mets likely have the prospect capital to make a deal worth it for Miami.