Cubs are already botching their trade deadline with one ridiculous decision

Imagn Images

Cubs are already botching their trade deadline with one ridiculous decision

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Jun 5, 2026 10:39 AM ET

The Chicago Cubs definitely need to make some moves before the MLB trade deadline if they want to seriously contend for a World Series this season. I don’t think anyone would argue that.

But do the Cubs actually have enough ammunition to swing a couple of big move?

Chicago has moved some of its top prospects over the last couple of years, thinning out what was an incredibly deep farm system. Yes, the Cubs do still have some very enticing pieces, but they aren’t quite as loaded with organizational depth as they had been previously.

One name that has regularly been floated in trade speculation is outfielder Kevin Alcantara, a former top prospect who fell off most top-100 lists heading into 2026 and was called up to the big-league club back on May 23.

However, since being promoted two weeks ago, Alcantara has received a grand total of eight plate appearances. What exactly is Chicago doing here, and is Alcantara’s lack of playing time sabotaging his trade value?

What are the Chicago Cubs doing with Kevin Alcantara?

Sep 15, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Kevin Alcantara (13) in the batting cage before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Alcantara had been lighting it up at Triple-A Iowa, owning a .242/.339/.567 slash line with 15 home runs and 32 RBI over 180 plate appearances this season. Last year, he managed an .818 OPS across 430 trips to the dish.

Honestly, if the Cubs weren’t going to play Alcantara, they should have just left him down in the minor leagues where he would have continued to receive regular at-bats.

This is the third time Chicago has elevated the 23-year-old to the big leagues since 2024, and yet, he has amassed a grand total of 30 major-league plate appearances. That simply isn’t enough, and if he can’t find playing time with the Cubs, other clubs might wonder if he is worth pursuing as a centerpiece in a trade.

Chicago needs a whole lot of things before Aug. 3. It desperately needs starting pitching. It could use a big bat. The Cubbies could also afford to patch up its bullpen. You would have to think Alcantara’s name would be mentioned in many trade packages, but how much has his value dipped at this point?

The problem now for the Cubs is if they send Alcantara back down, it doesn’t look very good. So they need to find a way to get him into some games in an attempt to build — or repair — his value prior to the trade deadline. Otherwise, he will be in no-man’s land.

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

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