Chicago Cubs: Why it’s the perfect time to trade this top prospect

The Chicago Cubs are in first place, atop the NL Central Division by 3.5 games. They’re also tied for the best record in all of baseball.

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But there are issues behind the feel-good winning vibes of the last few weeks.

They’ve lost Cade Horton, one of their top starters and an emerging ace, for the year following elbow surgery. They’ve also lost Opening Day starter and last year’s pitching MVP, Matthew Boyd, who will be out for awhile after suffering a freak meniscus injury requiring surgery. Ace Justin Steele has suffered a setback in his recovery from last year’s elbow surgery.

The bullpen has also been hit hard by injury, with Caleb Thielbar and Hunter Harvey still on the shelf and Phil Maton and closer Daniel Palencia just returning from their own stints on the IL. So far, the pen has held strong, even with some emergency relief arms filling in.

But, realistically, the Cubs will have a really tough time reaching their championship goals without at least one other front-of-rotation starter and some added high-end depth in relief. That means trades are a must.

Cubs must trade their prospects

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Chicago will have to part ways with some of their prospects to bring in an arm or two.

Currently, Triple-A Iowa is loaded with talented prospects who find their path to the majors blocked. First baseman Jonathon Long (no. 6 prospect) carries a big bat, but Michael Busch is ahead of him in Chicago. Double-A star SS/2B Jefferson Rojas (no. 4) is blocked by Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner, who just signed a six-year extension with the Cubs. 3B/2B Pedro Ramirez (no. 8) won’t get a starting gig as long as Alex Bregman is around. 2B/OF James Triantos (no. 9) and OF Brett Bateman (no. 20) are also without any real path to the majors.

But the ideal trade piece may be no. 4 prospect OF Kevin Alcantara, who is grabbing all the headlines with an incredible power surge early this season.

With 13 home runs so far, the 23-year-old leads the International League and has showcased some elite power chops.

Mixed feelings on the red-hot Kevin Alcantara

But underneath the long ball tally, the prospect who came over from the Yankees in the 2021 Anthony Rizzo trade remains essentially the same player who has had scouts debating his prospect value for the last few years. His strikeout rate is still a very high 34.5% and he’s still very much a feast-or-famine type player. There remains a lot of doubt about whether his long swing and overall approach can translate to big league success.

However, he’s also very toolsy and remains an attractive player because of that.

The big-time power this year, along with the promise he still has as a multi-tool asset, makes his trade value higher than it’s ever been.

Although the Cubs are facing the possibility that they may lose both corner outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to free agency at the end of this year, they may have to bite the bullet and trade away Alcantara. It also must be taken into consideration that 2026 will be the last minor-league option year for him and that the Cubs will soon have to make the decision to push him to the majors or let him go.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-trade-prospect-kevin-alcantara/