When MLB executives speak, the baseball world listens—and right now, they're all talking about the same name: Sandy Alcantara.

The Miami Marlins' right-handed ace has once again been voted as the most popular trade candidate heading into the 2026 season, according to a recent poll of MLB executives conducted by MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. A full 20% of the 20 executives surveyed named Alcantara as the player most likely to be dealt this year—the same distinction he held last season.

It's easy to see why the buzz is building. After missing the entire 2024 season due to injury, Alcantara struggled out of the gate in 2025. But as the trade deadline approached, the 2019 Cy Young winner began to find his rhythm again. By season's end, his value had rebounded significantly, and now the asking price for the hard-throwing righty is sky-high.

Feinsand notes that the Marlins are hovering around .500 this season, which puts them in a tricky spot. Unless Miami is willing to make a major financial commitment to extend Alcantara, his trade value may never be higher than it is right now—especially with an additional year of club control still remaining.

The Marlins showed patience last year by holding onto their ace at the deadline, and that decision appears to have paid off. Alcantara's stock is up, his arm is healthy, and contenders are already circling. A blockbuster trade could net Miami a massive haul of prospects from a team desperate for starting pitching depth.

Potential suitors? The San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, and Cincinnati Reds all come to mind as teams with the prospect capital and postseason aspirations to make a serious push for Alcantara.

As one American League executive told Feinsand: "Nothing moves the trade market like a good starting pitcher."

For the Marlins, the message is clear: if they're going to trade their ace, this summer might be their best—and last—chance to get maximum value in return.