As the MLB trade deadline approaches, the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are both being linked to starting pitching upgrades. But the biggest name on the market, Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, doesn’t appear to be the target for either club — at least not according to longtime MLB insider Jon Heyman.
Speaking on MLB Network, Heyman laid out a different vision for both teams. He sees San Diego swinging a deal for Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, while Chicago lands Milwaukee Brewers righty Freddy Peralta — two pitchers with track records as reliable postseason starters, even if their 2026 numbers don’t jump off the page.
“I like the Padres for Alcantara — San Diego and Miami have matched up before — and for Peralta … I like the Cubs,” Heyman said. “Craig Counsell, big fan from the Milwaukee days.”
The connection to Counsell is notable. As the Cubs manager, he knows Peralta’s game inside out from their shared time in Milwaukee. That familiarity could give Chicago a comfort level with the Brewers right-hander that other suitors might lack.
Middling Numbers, Track Record Appeal
Neither Alcantara nor Peralta is having a vintage season. Alcantara enters play with a 4.25 ERA, while Peralta sits at 3.90. But Heyman argues those numbers don’t tell the whole story when evaluating them as trade chips.
“These other two, kind of on the fence — Peralta and Alcantara would be two and three or two and 2A as guys who could be traded,” Heyman said. “Very dependable guys, always answer the bell. Alcantara and Peralta not having their best seasons, but they are guys who put up the innings.”
That durability and big-game experience could make both pitchers valuable to contenders looking for rotation depth behind a clear ace.
Will Their Teams Actually Sell?
A key variable: whether the Marlins and Brewers even decide to sell. Miami has won nine of its last 11 games and sits at .500 entering the week. The Mets, meanwhile, are considered more likely to sell, though Heyman acknowledged that designation comes with caution.
“The Marlins have won nine of 11, so look, they have a .500 record,” Heyman said. “So, no guarantee they sell. I would say, same with the Mets. The Mets are more likely to sell … But Peralta certainly would be of interest.”
All of which means the Padres and Cubs may be stuck waiting — not just for the right price, but for their potential trade partners to decide whether they’re buyers or sellers.
At this point, both Alcantara and Peralta are considered plausible trade candidates if their clubs fall out of contention. Whether either pitcher winds up in San Diego or Chicago remains a moving target — and one that won’t be resolved until the deadline draws closer.
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