Dodgers Acquire Alexis Díaz in Trade with Reds

Sandy Alcántara, a former Cy Young winner, is struggling significantly in the 2025 season with an 8.47 ERA and ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery, which has limited his appearances and affected his trade value. Despite his poor performance, scouts note that his pitching stuff remains strong, maintaining high velocity and similar pitch shapes, which keeps him as a top trade candidate, though uncertainty remains about if he will be traded before the deadline. The Miami Marlins face a dilemma as they weigh keeping Alcántara, who still has team control for two more years, versus trading him to benefit their rebuilding efforts. Potential trade scenarios, such as a deal with the Baltimore Orioles, have been proposed but criticized for not offering a sufficiently transformative return for the franchise's ace. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired right-hander Alexis Díaz from the Cincinnati Reds, although Díaz has struggled with control and velocity issues, posting a high ERA and walk rate in both major and minor leagues. Additionally, the San Diego Padres are promoting promising bullpen prospect Bradgley Rodriguez, a hard-throwing pitcher with improved control and a strong strikeout rate, directly from Double-A to the major leagues.