Chicago Cubs could trade Moises Ballesteros under one condition

Imagn Images

Chicago Cubs could trade Moises Ballesteros under one condition

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jun 29, 2026 12:44 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have been playing much better baseball of late, having won 12 of their last 16 games to re-establish themselves as serious National League playoff contenders and to make it clear that they will almost certainly be buyers before the MLB trade deadline.

While the Cubs have been winning games, it’s clear that this team still has a plethora of issues, and the starting rotation is the most obvious of all.

Chicago’s pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries, and the arms that have been able to stay healthy haven’t exactly pitched up to par.

The general expectation is that the Cubs will add at least one more pitcher between now and Aug. 3, and they already got a head start on it by swinging a deal with the New York Mets to acquire left-hander David Peterson last week.

Chicago would surely likely a more impactful hurler than Peterson, though, and the good news is that there should be some interesting names available in the coming weeks. But is it possible the Cubs would part ways with Moises Ballesteros to make that happen? Perhaps, under one condition.

Chicago Cubs could trade Moises Ballesteros in this scenario

Jun 10, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Chicago Cubs designated hitter Moises Ballesteros (25) talks with pitching coach Tommy Hottovy (68) on the bench in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Ballesteros got off to a tremendous start with Chicago this season, slashing .338/.392/.620 with five home runs and 16 RBI between March and April before a dreadful May and half of June resulted in the slugger being demoted back to Triple-A.

The Cubs still clearly have high hopes for Ballesteros moving forward, as they should. While he certainly isn’t a great defensive catcher, his bat has sky-high potential, as he has displayed for many years within Chicago’s organization.

But Jordan Campbell of Cubbies Crib feels there is one scenario in which the Cubs may be willing to send Ballesteros packing.

“Generally, it’s hard to imagine the Cubs being willing to give up on Ballesteros. Even with his demotion to Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs remain sold on the potential of his bat. But if there’s a chance that Ballesteros is the key prospect to be included in a deal for someone like Logan Webb or Joe Ryan, it’s hard to imagine the young catcher being completely off the table,” Campbell wrote.

Webb and Ryan are viewed as two of the top potential pitchers who could be moved before the trade deadline, and you would have to imagine the San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins, respectively, would ask for Ballesteros in a possible return.

Chicago does have other pieces like Kevin Alcantara and Pedro Ramirez who could be involved in trade packages, as well, but if the Giants or Twins insist on Ballesteros, the Cubs may just have to bite the bullet and get it done.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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