Looking at potential Atlanta Braves rotation additions, none are more potentially exciting than Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcántara. It would help ease Atlanta's frustration with the clear offseason blunder of letting Atlanta ace Max Fried walk away. It doesn't wipe away the mistake, but it goes a long way in covering up the lost production. It would allow Atlanta to help the bullpen as well, shifting Grant Holmes back into a relief role.
Where things get a bit tricky is considering what it would take to land the starter. Miami has the benefit of having one of the most enticing arms expected to be on the market. The Braves aren't likely to get a discount from their division rival. With this in mind, let's look at a hypothetical trade price for the Miami starter.
Mock Trade: Braves Send 3 Players to Miami in Exchange for Sandy Alcántara
The Braves send two top prospects and their biggest current problem in Kelenic, in exchange for Miami's biggest trade chip. It is fun to consider the ceiling of Atlanta's rotation if they were able to pull off such a deal. It isn't completely off the table when you consider the front office is facing. Their one notable deal is already up in flames, and decisions to let Max Fried and Freddie Freeman walk away remain under fire.
Atlanta is under pressure to make notable additions and prove they haven't lost the team's World Series window. After three straight seasons of losing in the first round, there is a higher sense of urgency around this team. With this in mind, such a deal could become a possibility for a franchise that typically shies away from spending prospects of note.
Alcántara's talent is going to make landing the starting pitcher unlikely despite the obvious fit. While the Braves do have a history of working deals within the division, the Marlins are likely to be holding a bidding war for one of the best starters on the market. If the offers are anywhere close, why would Miami opt to keep the starter within their own division?
Still, it is a deal the Braves should be actively exploring as they continue to attempt to climb their way back into the postseason race.