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Sandy Alcantara's Legacy with the Marlins Might be Unmatched
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- Sandy Alcantara's Legacy with the Marlins Might be Unmatched
(Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)
Should Sandy Alcantara ALREADY be considered the greatest Marlins pitcher ever?
Sandy Alcantara has already accomplished something no pitcher in Miami Marlins history can claim. If he finishes his career in South Florida, however, the former National League Cy Young Award winner could eventually become the greatest pitcher the franchise has ever seen.
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He's not that far away right now; so every time he takes the hill in a Fish uniform, he writes another chapter in his South Florida lore... one more time to unanimously put the discussion to rest forever.
In his 2022 Cy Young season, Alcantara became the first and thus far, the only, Marlins pitcher to accomplish that feat. He delivered a well-rounded season that checked all the boxes in terms of what an ace is all about, finishing 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA, 207 strikeouts, and 228 2/3 innings across 32 starts. He also led the majors with six complete games,
Alcantara has steadily climbed the franchise's all-time pitching leaderboards, establishing himself among the most accomplished starters the organization has employed. He currently ranks third in Marlins history in victories, behind Ricky Nolasco and Dontrelle Willis, two pitchers who left their own indelible marks on the franchise.
The numbers tell an important story, but so does the manner in which El Cabello has accumulated them. At his best, he's been a workhorse capable of carrying a rotation, pitching deep into games and giving Miami a legitimate chance to win whenever he takes the mound.
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His journey has not been without obstacles. Alcantara endured a difficult 2023 season before undergoing Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for the entire 2024 campaign. His return in 2025 brought further challenges, particularly during the first half, but he finished the season with a considerably stronger second half.
Those setbacks are part of his story, too. At the same time, questions about Alcantara's future in Miami have surfaced, with trade rumors periodically putting his name in the spotlight. Yet the pitcher has expressed his desire to remain with the Marlins, making it clear that he enjoys the city and wants to continue representing the organization.
Will He Stay Put the Long Haul?
Virtually everyone in the franchise seems to want to see Alcantara become a Marlin for life. That includes Miami's principal owner and chairman, Bruce Sherman, who has made his respect and admiration for his hurler incredibly obvious - especially as the year drew to a close.
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"He means everything," Sherman said in an interview with Marlins Radio late in the 2026 campaign. "Sandy has been here the same number of years I've been here, and the ownership group the last eight years together. I have profound respect for Sandy. He's the ultimate professional."
If he remains in Miami for several more seasons, he will have an opportunity to challenge for the top spot in numerous pitching categories. Another sustained stretch of success could put records within reach that once seemed distant. And Alcantara seems determined to do that.
"I've been here since 2018, and I've seen everything this organization has been through," Alcantara stated last year. "I want to die out there for my team. That's why I'm here. I want to compete. I want to win. So every time they give me this opportunity, I will take it.
