The Atlanta Braves are 49-34 and hold a 2.5-game lead in the National League East over the Philadelphia Phillies. However, they're looking to pick things up after going just 9-14 during the month of June.
Their offense was a major disappointment, ranking 30th in OPS (.599) in June; upgrading their lineup likely isn't the top priority before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. MLB.com's Mark Feinsand writes that instead, it's to find reinforcements for their starting rotation.
There are a handful of talented starters expected to be moved at the deadline. In fact, CBS Sports' Mike Axisa, as well as ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel, have listed the Braves as a potential landing spot for Miami Marlins pitcher Sandy Alcantara.
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Considering the Marlins have made the postseason just twice since joining the team in 2018, he's been a player consistently brought up in trade talks. In the final year of his five-year, $56 million contract, Miami is running out of time to capitalize on his trade value.
However, as much as the Braves could use the talented righty, he once again may not be on the move. On Wednesday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reported that the Marlins may not want to break up their rotation.
"We've passed the midway point of the season, and the Marlins -- the team with the sport's lowest payroll and second-lowest attendance -- are tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for the third wild-card spot," Gonzalez wrote. "Any team hoping to acquire Sandy Alcantara before the trade deadline might have to pump the brakes at this point. With Alcantara, the excellent Max Meyer and a healthy Eury Perez, the Marlins have a formidable rotation trio."
Over halfway into the season, Miami is 46-40 and on track for its first winning season since 2023. Only 4.5 games behind the Braves for the NL East lead, the team may feel its postseason chances are too high to trade the 2022 Cy Young Award winner.
He has been a contributor to their success this season. Through 18 starts, he's recorded a 4.20 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 84 strikeouts and allowed 116 hits in 115.2 innings of work.
Now into July, Atlanta's pitching needs and Miami's postseason hopes keep Alcantara's future uncertain. With the trade deadline closing in, the next month for each team will be pivotal.
