Did Cubs reveal trade deadline plans by using first two draft picks on outfielders?

The Chicago Cubs had an fantabulous first half of nan season, owning nan third-best grounds successful Major League Baseball astatine 57-39.

The Cubs held connected to a one-game lead complete nan Milwaukee Brewers for first spot successful nan National League Central by taking nan last 2 games of a three-game group against nan New York Yankees.

Chicago mislaid 11-0 successful nan bid opener, but first-time All-Star Matthew Boyd and ace Shota Imanaga dealt complete a mixed 13 innings, allowing conscionable 1 tally and striking retired 12.

While Boyd has been spectacular and Imanaga has looked awesome erstwhile healthy, nan Cubs are successful hopeless request of pitching thief earlier nan waste and acquisition deadline.

The Cubs want a frontline starter to subordinate Boyd and Imanaga, but nan marketplace is beautiful thin.

Miami Marlins erstwhile Cy Young victor Sandy Alcantara is nan astir talented starter available, but nan Marlins person put an costly value tag connected him and he’s looked horrible this season.

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Regardless of who nan Cubs prosecute astatine nan deadline, they are expected to portion ways pinch 1 of aliases some outfielders Owen Caissie (Cubs No. 1, MLB No. 42) and Kevin Alcántara (Cubs No. 4, MLB No. 85).

The Cubs whitethorn person conscionable drafted their replacements successful nan first 2 rounds of nan 2025 MLB Draft.

Chicago selected Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad pinch nan 17th wide prime and University of North Carolina outfielder Kane Kepley pinch nan 56th wide pick.

“He’s 1 of nan much well-rounded players successful nan assemblage class,” said MLB.com Pipeline master Jim Callis astir Conrad. “He tin get fierce astatine nan sheet but makes a batch of contact. He could beryllium an above-average hitter for mean and powerfulness if it each comes together, and a chance to play halfway field.”

“Kepley is an on-base instrumentality who executes value plaything decisions from nan near broadside of nan plate,” according to MiLB imaginable rankings. “He excels astatine putting nan bat connected nan ball, particularly wrong nan onslaught zone, and seldom chases pitches.”

Prospects for illustration Caissie and Alcántara are difficult to replace, but nan Cubs draught good and seemingly ever find awesome prospects that extremity up successful nan Top 100.

More MLB: Cubs' Matthew Boyd has been nan champion under-the-radar offseason acquisition