Cubs Get Discouraging News On Top Pitching Trade Targets
During a November 25 appearance on Marquee Sports Network, Chicago Cubs insider Bruce Levine made it clear that Chicago should consider a trade for Miami Marlins starting pitcher and 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, Sandy Alcantara.
"So I'm looking for a big trade for a guy that's making $17 million in 2026, possibly $21 million in 2027. That's Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins," Levine said, per an X post from
"[Alcantara] was back to being the dominant pitcher that he was at the end of the year. And for two more years of control. Putting him and [Cade] Horton as your one and two, and having the three veterans backing that up, to me, that’s a championship-caliber rotation," he added.
Alcantara would make a lot of sense for the Cubs if he became available in a trade. While his 11-12 record and 5.36 ERA in 31 starts in 2025 don't suggest Alcantara is an elite pitcher, the fact that he produced a 2.83 ERA in his final seven starts of the season (combined with his elite arm talent and pitch repertoire) makes him an appealing trade target.
And Alcantara isn't the only Marlins pitcher that the Cubs have expressed trade interest in. Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of
Cabrera went 8-7 with a 3.53 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 137.2 innings pitched (26 starts) during 2025, and seemingly still has the potential to develop into an ace-caliber pitcher.
Insider Pours Cold Water on Marlins Trading Alcantara and Cabrera
However, New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman asserted in a November 27 article that there isn't a great belief around the league that Miami is open to trading both Alcantara and Cabrera this winter, despite teams showing interest.
There seems to be a chance that the Marlins might deal one of these two if they're presented with an offer they couldn't refuse. But it seems more likely that the Cubs will need to pivot elsewhere if they're looking to bolster their starting rotation via trade across the next couple of months.
There isn’t great belief among executives that Sandy Alcantara & Edward Cabrera are traded. Skubal & Peralta either.
Pablo Lopez & MacKenzie Gore have better chances of being traded.
Jon Heyman
Heyman did mention that Twins pitcher Pablo Lopez and Nationals southpaw MacKenzie Gore have a better chance of being dealt, both of whom could appeal to Chicago.
Broncos Get Critical QB Update Before ‘Sunday Night Football’ vs Commanders
The Denver Broncos are going for win No. 10 on the season as they take on the Washington Commanders on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 13 in a matchup billed before the season as a showdown between 2024 draftmates
However, the latest news around the game has reshaped that narrative.
Nix and the Broncos will still face a former No. 2 overall pick against the Commanders, just not Daniels.
Broncos Facing Commanders Team Missing Jayden Daniels
GettyJayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks on during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Daniels has drawn attention all week
However, despite Daniels making “great progress,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn put the speculation to bed once and for all on Friday.
That was even as Daniels again
“It’s a day-by-day process. Just kind of getting back into a rhythm, and get in the flow of things,” Daniels told reporters on November 25. “Gotta go out there and play football. If I’m back out there, I’m healthy, and I’m ready to go, I want to be out there.”
Instead, the Broncos will face 11th-year veteran Marcus Mariota, the No. 2 pick in 2015 by the Tennessee Titans.
Mariota has a 35-44 career record as a starter.
He has had stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Philadelphia Eagles and has thrown for 17,249 yards, 104 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions on 63.1% completion during his career.
Bo Nix: Broncos’ Job ‘Not Even Close’ to Done
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos walks off the field after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs.
Daniels’ continued absence is a blow to the Commanders in a season gone awry. The Commanders enter Week 13 against Nix and the Broncos as losers of six straight with a 3-8 record this season, including 1-4 with Mariota under center.
Both teams are coming off their bye weeks.
The Broncos, though, have won eight straight outings. They have defeated the last two Super Bowl champions, the Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs
“We put ourself in this position now to put ourself in that position [to get homefield advantage in the playoffs] then,” Nix told reporters on November 26. “The job’s definitely not even close to being finished yet. But we have put ourself in the spot to obtain it. And so, that’s the part of the journey. You got to put yourself in a situation to get it there at the end, and grab hold of it. But it’s right there in front of us.
“You don’t get these opportunities a lot. They’re definitely hard to come by. So, got to make sure that you take it and not miss it. You don’t get these a lot. And, obviously, this is my first time, and I’m definitely excited and eager to keep going about it and find a way to get it done.”
That means Nix and the Broncos know avoiding potential trap games like this is key.
Daniels may be out for the Commanders. However, sloppy play can doom any team. Even one that has performed so well this far into a season like Nix and the Broncos have.
