Cubs top prospect sustains injury that could alter team's trade deadline plans

As the Chicago Cubs gear up for a bountiful trade deadline, fans need to be prepared to say goodbye to some of the team's top prospects.

Players like Owen Caissie, Moises Ballesteros, James Triantos, Jonathon Long and others have been floated as potential trade bait in a blockbuster deal this month. However, the Cubs' front office may have to recalculate some of their plans following an injury to one of the organization's top prospects.

Kevin Alcántara, 22, left last night's Iowa Cubs mysteriously after being subbed out defensively following an inning in which he didn't hit. Though fans initially believed that "hug watch season" was in full effect, it's now known that a persistent leg injury is the cause of his absence.

If the leg injury proves to be anything more serious than a minor series of cramps, Alcántara's tumbling trade value will only take a further nose dive.

Kevin Alcántara's injury increases liklihood of Owen Caissie trade

It's been assumed for quite some time that one of Alcántara or Caissie will be dealt at the upcoming trade deadline. Both top prospects knocking on the MLB door at Triple-A Iowa, the Cubs' crowded outfield has created a logjam that renders one of the prospects more valuable in a trade than as a depth option.

Alcántara, who made his MLB debut at the end of last season, hasn't had his best season this year, slashing .267/.348/.462 (107 wRC+) in just over 300 plate appearances. He's still a five-tool player with tons of potential, but his 29.1% strikeout rate and plateauing production do create serious question marks for his profile.

If this leg injury proves to be serious, his trade value will be nothing near that of Caissie's.

In a MLB front office poll conducted byThe Athletic, Jim Bowden asked general managers and top executives which prospects they expect to be dealt at the deadline. Caissie was the consensus answer atop the list.

Caissie, who just turned 23, is hitting .282/.388/.575 (144 wRC+) and is on an all-time tear over the past month.

He's at the peak of his value at the moment, which would make it sting to let him go. But it also means that he'll be a more attractive centerpiece in a deal than Alcántara.

Obviously, we're all hoping for a positive health update from "The Jaguar", though his injury may have sealed his and Caissie's fate at the trade deadline.