Trade rumors: Sandy, SP market, Holmes, Jays-Padres

With less than a month to go before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, here’s a look at some of the latest topics swirling in the rumor mill, including a big decision for the surging Marlins, three teams that could control the starting pitching market and a weekend series with potentially huge Deadline implications.

Marlins expected to keep Sandy, 'add strategically'

Sandy Alcantara's name has dominated trade rumors for the last few years, as the former NL Cy Young winner is a buzzworthy name for teams looking to add starting pitching. Yet Alcantara has stayed put to this point, and it doesn't seem like he's going anywhere any time soon.

The Marlins -- one of baseball’s hottest teams -- are planning to not only keep Alcantara through this year’s Deadline but also “add strategically,” according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Miami is 16-4 in its last 20 games, matching the best 20-game stretch in franchise history. After sweeping the Mariners, the Marlins are 52-42 and in control of the National League’s third Wild Card spot.

Alcantara (10-4, 4.00) has been a key reason for the surge. He's coming off one of his best starts of the season -- eight innings of one-run ball against the Athletics on July 4 -- and, along with All-Star Max Meyer, is anchoring an injury-ravaged rotation.

Rosenthal added that the Marlins could seek to add a third baseman, a back-end starter and a high-leverage reliever in trade. They could potentially deal from the Major League roster to do so. Rosenthal mentioned breakout catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks as someone drawing external interest, noting standout rookie Joe Mack could step in to lead a talented catching tandem.

Three teams that hold the keys to SP market

As one American League executive told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, “every team needs a starter.”

The demand is clear. But where is the supply?

Feinsand profiled a dozen starting pitchers who could be moved at this year’s Deadline. The list included three pairs of teammates.

Let’s start with the Tigers. Two-time defending AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is the undisputed prize of this year’s trade market. He’ll be a free agent at the end of the season, and he’s looked more or less like himself since returning from elbow surgery in May. Don’t overlook Casey Mize, either. A first-time All-Star last season, Mize has a 2.64 ERA through 13 starts in 2026. Like Skubal, he’ll be a free agent at year’s end, which could incentivize the Tigers to swing a trade should they fall too far out of the race.

Amid a disappointing season, the Royals are further out of the race, but their trade candidates are not bound for free agency any time soon. Veteran right-handers Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are each under club control through the 2028 season. According to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic, Kansas City is expected to have high asking prices for both pitchers.

Then there’s the Angels, who have two young starters -- lefty Reid Detmers and sinker-baller José Soriano -- under club control through the 2028 season. Both players are arbitration-eligible for two more seasons, which could increase their appeal on the trade market. We’ll see what interim general manager John Mozeliak decides to do here.

Clay Holmes: Trade chip... or extension candidate?

Speaking of starting pitchers: Holmes is a compelling and logical trade candidate, with the Mets entering play on Friday 12 games out of a playoff spot. Holmes pitched to a 2.39 ERA through his first nine starts of the season before landing on the IL in mid-May with a fractured fibula.

But trading Holmes isn’t a foregone conclusion, either.

According to a report from Will Sammon and Tim Britton of The Athletic, the Mets have not closed the door on signing Holmes to a midseason extension. Holmes told The Athletic that he is “definitely open” to the idea, which would keep him in Queens for the long term.

Holmes, 33, can become a free agent at the end of the season if he declines a $12 million player option. He originally signed a three-year, $38 million deal with the Mets in Dec. 2024 with the intention of converting from a high-leverage reliever into a dependable starting pitcher. That has gone swimmingly: Holmes made 31 starts and posted a 3.53 ERA in 165 2/3 innings in 2025, and looked even sharper to start 2026.

Holmes’ situation is somewhat tricky because of his injury, but all reports are that his recovery is going smoothly: He threw his first bullpen session late in the week of June 29 and is slated to advance to live BP in mid-July.

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A weekend series with big implications

Given how many teams remain in the hunt for the postseason, nearly all of the 15 series being played over the final weekend before the All-Star break carry some importance to the playoff chase. But if you’re thinking specifically about the Trade Deadline and who’s buying or selling, one particular series stands out.

Tonight, the Blue Jays open a three-game set against the Padres at Petco Park, in a battle of 2025 playoff teams with big expectations but fading hopes. The 44-49 Jays have lost 10 of their last 15, falling to 2 ½ games out of an AL Wild Card spot and dropping their FanGraphs playoff odds to 28.8%. The 46-47 Padres have a slightly better record but are in worse shape, having lost 10 of 13 to drop 5 ½ games out of an NL Wild Card spot. Their odds are down to just 11.0%.

For Toronto, a good stretch could prompt a trade for a starting pitcher – preferably one with club control beyond 2026 – to bolster an injury-plagued group. A bad stretch might prompt a light sell, but one that likely would be done with an eye on contending in 2027.

For San Diego, the question looming over everything is whether falling further behind in the playoff race could prompt a trade of All-Star closer Mason Miller. But if the Friars can stay in it, you can never rule out A.J. Preller making some aggressive (and creative) moves to try to set up another October run.