The Marlins are keeping Sandy Alcantara around for 2027.
Miami exercised Alcantara’s club option, a move that avoids a $2 million buyout if the team had decided not to bring him back.
At his season-ending news conference last month, president of baseball operations Peter Bendix was careful not to tip the club’s hand when he was asked about Alcantara’s future. But he made it clear how much the right-hander means to the organization.
“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.”
Alcantara’s season made the decision easier to understand. The 31-year-old was a trade-rumor fixture for the past two years, yet he still put together a workload-heavy rebound in his second season after Tommy John surgery. He led the Majors in innings with 214, tied for second in starts with 33 and tied for third in quality starts with 21.
He also finished with a little late-season novelty in the bullpen track record, going 3-for-3 in save opportunities over the final two weeks - the first saves of his career. Along the way, he set multiple franchise records in innings, strikeouts and quality starts.
Alcantara’s Marlins résumé now stretches across eight seasons, and he remains the club’s longest-tenured player. In 205 games, including 202 starts, he has gone 65-78 with a 3.69 ERA, a 115 ERA+ and a 1.18 WHIP. His best year came in 2022, when he became the franchise’s first National League Cy Young winner, taking the award unanimously in the first year of his current five-year, $56 million extension.
“I just want to play baseball,” Alcantara said after 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.”
With Alcantara back, Miami has its No. 1 starter settled. The rest of the rotation picture includes Eury Pérez, Janson Junk, Ryan Gusto and Tyler Phillips, who all finished the year in starting roles.
Max Meyer is also in the mix after missing the final two-plus months with a neck strain. Adam Mazur and Robby Snelling, both coming off elbow surgery in 2026, are expected to return in April/May and May/June, respectively.
In Other News...
Marlins Suddenly Have A Veteran Pitching Question Fans Should Watch
The Marlins decision to exercise Sandy Alcantaras club option for 2027 gave their pitching picture at least one clear anchor, but the rotation still has room for another experienced arm. Miami has been leaning into a young staff, and the front office could still look to add a veteran who can help steady that group over a full season.
Nick Martinez is one name worth watching in that search. He brings the kind of recent track record that would appeal to a club trying to balance upside with reliability, and his availability creates a natural fit for a team that could use more seasoned innings behind Alcantara. Whether the Marlins actually move in that direction is the open question, but the possibility alone makes this a situation to monitor. [Read more 🡒]