Cubs slugger unfortunately said to be on ‘borrowed time’ in Chicago

The Chicago Cubs are certainly not starving for offense this season, as they rank fifth in the majors in batting average, fourth in OPS and are tied for third in runs scored. So they aren’t really looking to add pieces to their lineup right now.

That’s bad news for top prospect Kevin Alcantara, who has already smashed 13 home runs at Triple-A Iowa this season and is clearly ready to hit the big leagues at any moment.

The problem is that the Cubs’ outfield is stocked with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki, and with Moises Ballesteros mashing at DH, there really is no room for Alcantara at the current point in time.

A position change could be possible for the 23-year-old, but even then, where would he play? The Cubs’ infield is pretty set, and he certainly isn’t moving to catcher.

It’s looking more and more like a trade is the most likely out come for Alcantara, and Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib has tabbed the slugger among three players who are on the chopping block with the trade deadline in sight.

Is Kevin Alcantara doomed with the Chicago Cubs?

The Cubs traded another top outfield prospect in Owen Caissie during the offseason, sending him to the Miami Marlins in exchange for pitcher Edward Cabrera.

Chicago still finds itself in need of more pitching, and with some impressive names potentially littering the trade market between now and Aug. 3, it stands to reason that Alcantara could be on the move, as well.

“No, Kevin Alcantara isn’t with the big-league club, but it feels like he is on borrowed time with the organization,” Campbell wrote. “The Cubs didn’t seem eager to have Alcantara break camp with the team this season, and while he could be an option to replace Ian Happ or Seiya Suzuki next season, it feels like he’s going to be their biggest trade chip at the deadline.”

Yes, it is worth noting that both Happ and Suzuki are slated to hit free agency at year’s end, so Chicago could always wait another year to unleash Alcantara (although he did briefly make his major-league debut in 2025). But with the Cubs knocking on the door to a World Series this season, they may not want to wait that long.

Alcantara is Chicago’s third-ranked prospect behind pitcher Jaxon Wiggins and middle infielder Jefferson Rojas, but Alcantara may be the most MLB-ready of the group. That means time is running out for both sides in the Windy City, so if the Cubs move him by the deadline, it would not be the least bit surprising.

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