The New York Yankees are off to a solid 15-10 start and are sitting on top of the AL East. But if you are being real, the only reason they are the kings of the Bronx right now is because Aaron Judge is doing Aaron Judge things—blasting his way to doing MVP-level damage. But while the offense is humming with potential, there is a real problem in the team, and it’s the pitching.

The problem is so evident when you see that the ERA is at 4.07 through the 25 games. Their starting rotation ERA is at a rough 4.69. Only Oakland, Miami, and Colorado are below them. It’s not the kind of company that the Yankees want to keep. But with Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil sidelined, this is the sad reality.

This can’t go on forever, not if they want to get hot in October, and the front office knows it. And right now, all eyes are on Miami. Miami Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara is one name that’s popping up when talking about the trade talks. The 2022 Cy Young winner sure had a slow start, but he is coming off a Tommy John surgery, so it is expected. But don’t take that slow start as the full picture, because he has plenty of talent up his sleeve, and teams will be lining up.

Bob Nightengale said, the Marlins $56 million star will be available, and the team will trade him in late July. But he added, “So someone is going to have to give up a ton. As much as the Padres gave up for Juan Soto, it may cost a team more than that. … It’s going to be a steep, steep price.” One team he feels will headline the trade is the Yankees. And will the price of the trade stop the Yanks?  Bob Nightengale doesn’t feel so, and according to him, the Yankees will do anything possible to land the pitcher.

Moreover, given that Alcantara has two years of team control and a third-year club option, the contract becomes even more attractive. For a team that’s ready to go all in, this is a bonus. However, the question is now not whether the New York Yankees want him. It’s how far they are willing to go to go and get him. Well, if they have the chance to give half their farm system and rev their pitching, then Brian Cashman might not blink twice.

This is a crucial decision for the New York Yankees because it can make or break their postseason. And if they want to make noise, then Alcantara does seem the right one to get. But it won’t be easy.

The Yankees better pay attention, as they might lose Alcantara

If you thought that the New York Yankees had a clear path to Sandy Alcantara, think again because the way to him is getting pretty crowded. There are now two familiar names who have crashed into the mix—Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. They are eying Alcantara like he is the last bottle of water in a desert. Now, Boston’s rotation doesn’t scream disaster, but it’s also not bulletproof. They have patched holes, but getting someone like Alcantara is the upgrade they need to add to the postseason odds.

ESPN’s David Schoenfield says that the Boston Red Sox might just pull it off. “Alcántara’s multiyear team control and reasonable salary make him especially attractive to the Red Sox — a team that has been reluctant to spend with the big boys in recent years,” Schoenfield wrote. And well, given that the Marlins want hitters, they do have a chance to outbid the other teams. Boston has infielders like Marcelo Mayer, who Schoenfield says might just make his way there.

In Chicago, the Cubs are deepening their farm system. And Schoenfield believes to land Alcantara, the Cubs would need to trade away their prospects, specifically Owen Caissie or Kevin Alcántara. “Caissie’s high-end power potential would certainly be intriguing for the Marlins, who have long been searching for a power-hitting outfielder,” said Schoenfield.

Well, one thing is for sure: the ace arms race has started in full swing. Who do you think will end up getting him? Let us know.