MIAMI -- The Marlins exercised ace Sandy Alcantara's $21 million team option for 2027 on Friday.
There was a $2 million buyout if Miami chose not to bring Alcantara back.
During his season-ending press conference last month, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix wouldn't speculate when asked about Alcantara's future.
“With Sandy in particular, he is so meaningful to this organization,” Bendix said. “That’s not lost on me. That’s not lost on us. Another incredible season. Really, really fun to watch him pitch. His leadership in the clubhouse, the way he handles himself, the way he sets an example for the rest of the team -- it’s second to none, and it’s something that I know [manager] Clayton [McCullough] really appreciates [and] I really appreciate. We value it tremendously.”
The subject of trade rumors each of the past two years, Alcantara led the Majors in innings (214), tied for second in starts (33) and tied for third in quality starts (21) in his second season removed from Tommy John surgery. He also went 3-for-3 in save opportunities -- the firsts of his career -- over the final two weeks and set multiple franchise records from innings to strikeouts to quality starts.
In eight seasons, the longest-tenured Marlin has gone 65-78 with a 3.69 ERA, a 115 ERA+ and a 1.18 WHIP in 205 games (202 starts). Alcantara became the franchise’s first National League Cy Young winner in 2022, doing so in unanimous fashion in the first year of his current contract extension (five years, $56 million).
“I just want to play baseball,” Alcantara said following the season finale. “I can't say too much about that, because they have to make that decision. I will be sitting on my couch watching TV in my house, waiting for that call. I just want to keep myself here with the Marlins. I've been here for the last nine years, so why I can't keep myself here? I love this organization so much.”
Bringing the 31-year-old Alcantara back takes care of the top spot in the rotation. Options after him include those that finished the year as starters: mentee Eury Pérez, Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto and Tyler Phillips. Also in the mix is All-Star Max Meyer, who missed the final two-plus months with a neck strain. Adam Mazur and Robby Snelling, both of whom underwent elbow surgery in 2026, are expected back in April/May and May/June, respectively.