The Los Angeles Dodgers need to upgrade their starting rotation. Although injuries to Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki have not derailed their season, it has created a concern for the longevity of the team’s success. According to FanGraphs, the Dodgers’ starting pitchers rank 24th in the league. Due to their struggles, the Dodgers plan to be active at the trade deadline and have zeroed in on one of the top available pitchers.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Los Angeles is targeting Miami Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara to strengthen their pitching rotation.

The former Cy Young award winner made his return this season after Tommy John Surgery in 2023. Following a rough start that saw Alcantara’s ERA balloon over 8.00, he has shown signs of rounding into form. Since June 3, Alcantara has a 2-1 record with a 2.74 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 23 innings. His recent stretch has brought his ERA down below 6.70 for the season, and although it is still not an appealing number, it is a positive sign heading into the trade deadline.

Alcantara, 29, is in the third year of a five-year, $56 million deal. The team-friendly contract will make his price tag more expensive, but it will also be an attractive selling point to teams vying for his services. The Dodgers are already spending an estimated $100 million on starting pitching this season, per Spotrac. With the number of starters on the injured list, Alcantara’s durability may leave some lingering doubts, but his cheap contract offsets those concerns.

Los Angeles would not be buying another rental arm to get them to October and perhaps help repeat as World Series champions. They would be investing in a former Cy Young winner with three more years of team control on a contract any team would envy.

Alcantara’s next scheduled start is Saturday, June 28, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Expect the Dodgers to monitor his performance closely against a divisional rival.