Seeing left-handed pitcher and ace of the Chicago Cubs staff Shota Imanaga leave Sunday’s 4-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers grabbing at his hamstring was an extremely unwelcome sight for Cubs fans everywhere.
The injury looked very similar to the one that kept Justin Steele out of action for six weeks during the 2024 season, and we’re all waiting to see what the update is coming out of Clark and Addison today.
If it is a lengthy absence for the southpaw, the Cubs should 100 percent explore the trade market for a starting pitcher. Whether that be Pablo Lopez, Andrew Heaney or someone else, it is something that should certainly happen. Chicago, however, does not need to give up its entire farm system in a trade.
A trade can be made without giving up some of the key prospects in the organization. Here are three prospects who should be untouchable in a trade following Imanaga’s injury.
Cade Horton, RHP
We’ll start with the obvious, and that is the No. 2 prospect overall and top pitching prospect in the Cubs organization.
If Chicago decides to replace Imanaga internally, Horton may very well be the best option. He is putting together an extremely solid season and while the injury to Imanaga isn’t positive in any way, it could be the opportunity that Horton needed to earn himself a promotion.
In no shape or form should Chicago be willing to give a young and controllable arm that could stay in their system and with the organization for the next five to seven years. Horton is untouchable and the Cubs should hang up the phone if anyone asks for him.
Moises Ballesteros, C/DH
We are all aware of the production that the Cubs are currently getting from their catching duo of Carson Kelly and Miguel Amaya.
Their production has amounted to more than could’ve been expected, and there is no chance (besides an injury) that either one of those two isn’t the catcher for every game the remainder of the season.
So that begs the question, what do you do with Ballesteros since he has nowhere to play? The simple answer is keep him in the minor leagues and let him continue to get consistent at-bats and wait on his time.
With Kelly under contract until 2027 and Amaya’s arbitration years not finishing up until 2029, Ballesteros may need to learn to play first base or accept his fate of being an everyday designated hitter with limited days behind the plate.
Whatever the case is, Chicago should not resort to trading him and getting rid of their most promising hitting prospect so far this season. There are plenty of ways to get the bat of Ballestero’s in the lineup and that should be the focus over trading him.
Kevin Alcantara, OF
If he can continue to stay healthy, Alcantara is the most exciting outfield prospect in the entire organization, barely inching out Owen Caissie. Alcantara showed some promise in Spring Training when he hit .250 with three doubles and an OPS of .657 in 28 at-bats.
His season so far in Triple-A Iowa has been a bit better than that, as he is hitting .269 on the year with an OPS of .749 with two home runs and five stolen bases in 93 at-bats.
The promise and the upside are evident, and it would be a real shame to see him shipped off for a pitcher who may not spend more than half a season in a Cubs uniform. It is ultimately a tough decision, but keeping Alcantara over Caissie may be the right one to make.