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Cubs Prospect Listed as Top Trade Candidate for Former Cy Young Winner

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Conor Liguori | Last updated May 25, 2025 3:20 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs might need a few upgrades to the starting rotation to make a deep postseason push.

Their ace, Justin Steele, is out for the year after undergoing surgery on his left elbow. Shota Imanaga may start throwing bullpen sessions soon after being placed on the injured list with a hamstring injury on May 5.

The biggest question is which players in the Cubs' organization the front office feels comfortable parting ways with to bolster the pitching staff.

On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller listed one player from each Major League Baseball club likely to be traded. Kevin Alcantara, the Cubs' No. 5 prospect on MLB Pipeline, was Miller's choice as Chicago's top trade candidate.

"Kevin Alcántara had a very brief, 1-for-10 cup of coffee in the majors at the end of last season, and has been scuffling a bit this year at Triple-A Iowa," wrote Miller.

"The 22-year-old outfielder is dripping with potential, though, tallying at least 13 home runs and 13 steals in each of the past three years."

Miller sees the Cubs as a potential trade fit for Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara, who won the National League Cy Young Award in 2022.

"It's going to take at least one (perhaps more than one) top 100 prospect to get the Marlins to part with Alcantara, but wouldn't it be fun if that top prospect had the same last name?" wrote Miller.

The Marlins' Alcantara leads MLB with 42 earned runs. His 8.04 ERA in 10 starts is troubling, but he has averaged 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.3 WAR per season in his eight-year career.

Over 100 games remain in the regular season, so there's still time for Alcantara to regain his old form. With Steele out, he'd slot in right behind Imanaga in the Cubs' rotation, forming a formidable duo come the postseason.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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