The Detroit Tigers sport an awe-inspiring pair of aces at the helm of their starting lineup. Tarik Skubal stands tall as the premier pitcher in the world of baseball, having outdone his own 2024 Cy Young-winning performance in the subsequent season. That said, the Tigers might need additional assistance in the rotation, as the arms supporting Skubal and his counterpart Casey Mize leave something to be desired. The eager eye of the Tigers’ management might have spotted another Cy Young laureate, as equally prestigious as Skubal, ready for a new challenge.
Hints are emerging that Miami Marlins’ top draw, Sandy Alcantara, could be the one to step up. Alcantara’s addition to the Tigers’ ranks would give their rotation a significant boost and could potentially ease the pressure on Skubal and Mize. The Tigers already can boast one of baseball’s pre-eminent pitchers in their lineup, but securing Alcantara could mean another stellar name on the roster.
However, there is a flip side to this that brings Alcantara into the spotlight. The reason for Alcantara’s availability for a move can be tracked back to more than just the Marlins’ lackluster performance this season. Alcantara’s 2025 season has not been particularly kind to him, showing a stark contrast to his earlier form.
Currently, he’s struggling with a decidedly unimpressive ERA of 6.98 and a 4-8 professional record. The present season has seen him give away 11 home runs and a dismal 62 earned runs—the highest in the MLB. His statistics have taken a tumble with 34 batters walking off and only 63 strikeouts to show, a far cry from his previous performances.
A flashback to 2022 presents a different picture altogether. It was the year Alcantara bagged the Cy Young award for the National League, thanks to his extraordinary effort that yielded a strong 2.28 ERA and a 14-9 record. His control was impeccable, letting only 58 earned runs slip and 50 walks while clinching 207 strikeouts.
Drawing parallels between his triumphant 2022 season and the ongoing 2025 season paints a pretty explicit picture of his performance slump. The slump is so profound that it’s more pronounced than his noticeable dip in form post his triumphant 2022 season. The not-so-encouraging numbers may take him out of the trading game, as the Marlins may struggle to get a fair deal.
The Tigers, however, should not simply abandon the idea of procuring Alcantara given his dry run. His spark of brilliance and potential can’t be overlooked and might just provide the much-needed solidity to the team’s rotation. He could play the ideal third starter, taking the load off Mize and Skubal without becoming the face of the team as he is in Miami.
The presence of Alcantara in the Tigers’ lineup could provide security and assurance, and not just for the 2025 season. He is contracted up to the 2026 season with an option for the club to retain him for 2027 with a proposed $20 million contract. Therefore, investing in Alcantara could be a worthwhile long-term strategy.
Slotting Alcantara behind Skubal could create an exciting dynamic for the Tigers’ rotation. The presence of two past Cy Young Award winners in the same lineup doesn’t happen often. This strategic move of bringing Alcantara to the Tigers’ fold could undoubtedly make for an intriguing turn of events.
The post Cy Young Aces Alcantara and Skubal: The Detroit Tigers’ Winning Combo? appeared first on Real News Now.
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