1. Prospect Trade Packages
A few top Cubs prospects are viewed as the key assets they could flip for pitching help or bullpen reinforcements.
| Prospect | Position | Level | ETA | Scouting Value | Trade Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Shaw | 3B | AAA | 2025 | 55 FV | High: is in MLB-ready third base slot Bleed Cubbie Blue+15Bleed Cubbie Blue+15ClutchPoints+15SI+6Reddit+6New York Post+6 |
| Kevin Alcántara | OF | MLB | 2024 | 50 FV | Very high – five-tool upside |
| Cade Horton | RHP | AAA | 2025 | 55 FV | High – valuable rotation piece |
| Owen Caissie | OF | AAA | 2025 | 45–50 FV | Strong candidate for blockbuster trade |
| James Triantos | INF | AAA | 2026 | 45 FV | Tradeable as a secondary asset |
2. Major League Assets
- Nico Hoerner (SS/2B)
- Under contract (~$11.5M in 2025, $12M in 2026) and a recent Gold Glover, he’s viewed by Bleacher Report as the top Cubs major-league trade chip Bleed Cubbie Blue+15Sporting News+15Bleed Cubbie Blue+15.
- Cody Bellinger (OF/1B)
- Mid-season acquisition, expensive ($27.5M), but expendable. Trading him saved roughly $25M payroll and created a path for Pete Crow-Armstrong Bleed Cubbie Blue+15joshkatzbaseball.com+15New York Post+15.
- Kevin Alcántara & Luis Vazquez (prospects)
- Mentioned as potential pieces to acquire a high-leverage closer (e.g., Emmanuel Clase) Chron+15SI+15FanGraphs Baseball+15.
3. Recent Trades & Their Value
- Kyle Tucker for Paredes, Smith & Wesneski (Dec 2024)
- Grade A–: Cubs added an elite bat but sacrificed depth at 3B; Tucker is likely a one-year rental Cubbies Crib+4joshkatzbaseball.com+4Bleed Cubbie Blue+4.
- Bellinger to Yankees for Poteet & Cash
- Provided payroll relief and promoted Crow‑Armstrong New York Post+2joshkatzbaseball.com+2New York Post+2SI+2Wikipedia+2Cubbies Crib+2.
- Pressly from Astros
- Strengthened the bullpen for minimal prospect cost—graded A Bleed Cubbie Blue+4Cubbies Crib+4FanGraphs Baseball+4.
🔍 Cubs’ Trade Strategy Overview
- Win-Now Mindset: With playoff aspirations, Cubs are leveraging their deep farm system to acquire frontline pitching.
- Asset-Rich Outfield: Tucker, Bellinger, Caissie, Alcántara, Crow‑Armstrong provide trade flexibility.
- MLB Contracts: Moving Hoerner or Bellinger can buy relief but could cost offense/defense.
- Bullpen Focus: Cubs actively shopping Alcántara/Vazquez for elite relievers SIBleed Cubbie Blue+4ClutchPoints+4FanGraphs Baseball+4.
✅ Trade Chips & Their Estimated Value
- Elite–Trade Package Capstones:
Matt Shaw, Kevin Alcántara, Cade Horton — all have top‑55 FV, young, controllable LATs. - Mid–Tier but Impactful:
Owen Caissie and James Triantos — impact bats ready to help other clubs. - rsoerner,s Bellinger — can bring back immediate relief or rotation help at season’s deadline.
- Bullpen Enhancers:
Using minor-league arms like Vazquez, Little for high-leverage bullpen upgrades.
🔮 Future Deadline Targets
- Starters: Sandy Alcántara, Pablo López — Cubs rumored to pitch Caissie + Triantos joshkatzbaseball.com+15ClutchPoints+15Bleed Cubbie Blue+15athlonsports.com+5Sporting News+5SI+5.
- Closers: Emmanuel Clase — prospects Alcántara and Vazquez in mock package athlonsports.com.
🧩 Summary
The Cubs’ trade value chart centers on:
- Top prospects (Shaw, Alcántara, Horton) – biggest leverage.
- High-cost MLB players (Hoerner, Bellinger) – payroll and performance driven.
- Organizational intent: Push for playoff run by converting depth into pitching assets.
They’ll likely stand pat on elite prospects unless it’s a deal for frontline pitching. Mid-tier assets and existing contracts can be used to plug bullpen or rotation gaps.