Chicago Cubs: 3 under-the-radar prospects to consider targeting

The trade deadline is less than a week away, and while we speculate what the Cubs could get back in their coming trades, these names could interest them.

With the clock winding down as we get closer and closer to the July 30 deadline, and the Chicago Cubs running full steam ahead with plans to sell, the league and fans alike are holding their breath to see when Chicago will make their move. Rumors have been swirling around about who the Cubs will deal some of their pieces to and what players they’ll get in return.

One thing is for certain, the entire trade deadline will run through the North Side of Chicago. The Cubs have something for every buyer. They have great bullpen arms, bats galore, and rotation depth to offer, so buyers will be lining up to offer for pieces of the roster. The number of buyers that will be interested in trading with the Cubs will hopefully be able to help them net some good prospect returns, so it’s only natural to make fantasy trades and theorize on the potential returns.

While many have been speculating or hoping for certain prospects to be on the way back in a trade, the only one who truly knows what the Cubs are targeting is Jed Hoyer. While we can all formulate our own mock trades, Hoyer and the front office likely have their own idea of what they can get in return, and some prospects they get may not have been on people’s radar.

Chicago Cubs: DJ Peters lacks a spot with the Dodgers and could be moved

While the Dodgers haven’t been a heavily rumored trade partner for the Cubs, but with the sudden shakiness of closer Kenley Jansen, it’s very possible they could go after one of the Cubs’ backend relievers. While many sellers will be trying to pry Josiah Gray or Keibert Ruiz away, DJ Peters would certainly be a good add for the Cubs.

Peters is 25 and made his major league debut this season, playing 18 games in Los Angeles. MLB Pipeline has Peters as the Dodgers 19th-ranked top prospect, giving him a very solid 60-grade power as well as a 60-grade arm in the outfield. Peters is a prototypical three true outcomes hitter, having good power, good ability to get on base, but also having a strikeout problem.

While all of this may be giving off very big Ian Happ warning flags, Peters is a much better defender, with pipeline projecting him as a very solid right fielder, as well as already playing centerfield for most of his minor league career. Peters does play similar to Happ, but he has the potential to be a better version of him.

Peters is a perfect fit in an outfield that the Cubs are desperately looking for production from. He could easily slide into the center field slot and kick Happ over to left. Peters certainly won’t be a superstar, but he could easily become a productive major league outfielder.

Chicago Cubs: Peter Solomon has been a top pitcher in Triple-A

The Astros are certainly looking to go all-in this year, and are perfect trade partners with the Cubs. Houston has certainly paid the price of competing, however, as due to their depleted farm, it’ll likely take a package of prospects for Houston to pull off a deal, and Peter Solomon would be a good return for the Cubs.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery and not pitching in 2020, Solomon has been one of the top PCL pitchers in 2021 as well as making a couple of major league appearances. Solomon has been a very effective strikeout pitcher both this year and throughout most of his minor league career, and this is likely something he can sustain at the major league level due to his appealing pitch arsenal.

Solomon has a plus fastball that sits mid-90’s along with a solid 55-grade curveball and slider, according to MLB Pipeline. Solomon also has an average 50-grade changeup and is working on adding a cutter as a fifth pitch.

While likely not being a factor until 2022, Peter Solomon could develop into a future middle rotation starter, which would be a welcome addition for Chicago. Solomon also would be one of the better strikeout artists in the Cubs’ currently contact-oriented rotation, which would be a welcome change.