The Chicago Cubs have unfortunate news that may change their trade deadline plans.
Cubs No. 4 prospect Kevin Alcántara left last night’s game with a leg injury that he has been dealing with for weeks, per Tommy Birch.
This injury is especially troubling for the Cubs because Alcántara has been named in plenty of high-end trade rumors, though he isn’t the best player in the farm system.
This could mean that Owen Caissie is surely to be on the move if the Cubs want to bring in one of the top trade chips on the market, like Mitch Keller or Sandy Alcantara.
“It's been assumed for quite some time that one of Alcántara or Caissie will be dealt at the upcoming trade deadline,” wrote Brandon Glick of FanSided’s Cubbies Crib. “Both top prospects knocking on the MLB door at Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs' crowded outfield has created a logjam that renders one of the prospects more valuable in a trade than as a depth option.”
Though Alcántara isn’t the top prospect in the minors, he has had a solid season and has showed he is a five-tool player.
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Alcántara, 22, has 11 home runs and 47 RBI while slashing .267/.353./462 in 73 games for Triple-A Iowa this season.
If his leg injury persists, the Cubs may have no choice but to move Caissie at the deadline. Former Major League Baseball executive and current writer for The Athletic Jim Bowden thinks Caissie is most likely to be on the move as it is.
Whatever the Cubs decide to do at the deadline, keep an eye on Alcántara’s injury status.
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