Don’t be shocked if this Cubs player is gone by the MLB trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs will be in the market for a starting pitcher ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline in July, and we talked earlier this week about how outfield prospect Kevin Alcantara will likely be included in such a deal.

The Cubs are set at the Major League level in the outfield with Ian Happ in left field, Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field, and Kyle Tucker in right field. Throw in the fact Crow-Armstrong and the Cubs seem likely to eventually find common ground on a contract extension, and the Cubs remain hopeful to sign Tucker for the long term, it would make sense that Alcantara is the prospect the Cubs would dangle in trade talks.

One thing that can't be overlooked, however, especially with the Cubs looking for a starting pitcher, is that the team they trade with will also likely want a cost-controlled starting pitcher in return. That would also work in the Cubs' favor.

Jordan Wicks may not be long for the Cubs' organization.

While it may be unlikely that the Cubs would be willing to trade any of their top-tier pitching prospects, it seems rather obvious that Jordan Wicks would be included in a potential deal. Despite opening the 2024 season in the Cubs' starting rotation, Wicks has seemingly become an afterthought on the Cubs' pitching staff.

Look no further than how Wicks has been handled to open the 2025 season. Wicks opened the season with the Triple-A Iowa and, despite looking like a clear candidate to replace Justin Steele in the Cubs' Major League rotation, he was only called upon when the Cubs were in need of a fresh arm in the bullpen. Wicks was quickly sent back down to Iowa after giving up 5 runs (3 earned) on 6 hits across his two appearances out of the Cubs' bullpen. To Wicks' credit, the way he was used didn't quite match his profile.

Given the past success Wicks has flashed at the Major League level, he likely will be one of the first pitchers that selling teams ask about when talking with the Cubs. Given how the Cubs have utilized him in 2025, they likely wouldn't be opposed to keeping him off limits.