The Major League Baseball trade deadline is right around the corner. And the Chicago Cubs, one of the best teams in baseball, are expected to be buyers leading into the July 31 deadline. So what does that mean for the Iowa Cubs?
A lot.
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The Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, boast some of the most meaningful targets for opposing teams when it comes to making a deal.
Whatever the Chicago Cubs want or need to help them down the stretch, either another starting pitcher or a third baseman or a bullpen arm, they can go get it thanks to a prospect-packed minor-league organization.
With the deadline rapidly approaching, many of Chicago’s top prospects are playing in Des Moines and have already been linked to many trade talks.
Here’s a look at five Iowa players, in order of likelihood, who could be dealt if and when Cubs make trades.
Iowa Cubs’ Owen Caissie throws from the outfield during a game at Principal Park on June 14, 2025, in Des Moines.
Owen Caissie, outfielder
Caissie is probably Chicago’s most valuable minor-league asset at the deadline. The left-handed-hitting Caissie has been on a tear lately, hitting .316 with five homers in 22 games in June and .304 with seven homes through his first 11 games in July. The problem for Caissie is that Chicago has nowhere to play him, with and outfield full of roadblocks in Kyle Tucker, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Ian Happ and Seyia Suzuki. Caissie was acquired by the Cubs as part of the Yu Darvish deal. So there are no homegrown allegiances to keep him, either. While Caissie could take over in the outfield if the Cubs aren’t able to resign Tucker in the offseason, it’ll be tough to keep him as he likely will be on every team’s trade-request list. Caissie has power, sneaky speed and is a solid defender who can track down fly balls and owns a strong arm.
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Jordan Wicks, pitching with the Iowa Cubs in 2023, has bounced back and forth between the minors and majors this season.
Jordan Wicks, pitcher
Wicks was a first-round pick by the Cubs in 2021 and considered one of the organization’s best up-and-coming hurlers. He made his big-league debut in 2023 and turned into a valuable pitcher for the Cubs, going 4-1 with a 4.41 ERA in seven starts. But Wicks has dealt with injuries and bounced back and forth between the minors and the majors and the bullpen and starting rotation. The Cubs likely either need to make a decision on what type of role they want for Wicks or send him to another team that can provide him the opportunity to pitch and develop in the majors. He’ll likely generate plenty of interest on the market being a former first-round pick. Since Wicks has already proven he can pitch in the big leagues, now he needs a shot where he can get more opportunities.
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More: Former Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jordan Wicks believes he can help big league club
Iowa Cubs’ Kevin Alcantara (9) rounds second base on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Principal Park in Des Moines.
Kevin Alcantara, outfield
Alcantara is one of the most intriguing players in the organization. The Cubs acquired him in the Anthony Rizzo trade and the thought is that he has among the highest upsides of any outfielder in the organization. But the question is, will Alcantara ever reach it? After a slow start to the season, which is nothing new for him, Alcantara has heated up big-time over the past few months, hitting .306 with a pair of home runs in June. He was off to another strong start in July before being sidelined with a leg injury. There’s been speculation the Cubs have already tried shipping him without many takers. But that could change with his recent run.
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Iowa Cubs’ Jonathon Long (27) throws the ball to second on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Principal Park in Des Moines.
Jonathon Long, first baseman
Long has been one of the surprise stories for the Cubs this season. Long, a ninth-round pick by the Cubs in 2023, has tore apart opposing pitching in his first season in Triple-A, with a .904 OPS and 14 home runs in his first 90 games. Once again, the Chicago Cubs lack a spot for him. Long plays primarily first base but has gotten some reps at third base and in left field. But with first base occupied by Michael Busch, the Cubs may not have room for Long even with his bat playing so well in the minor leagues right now. Even though Long has had opportunities to play elsewhere on the field, third base and the outfield probably aren’t long-term options for him.
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Iowa Cubs’ James Triantos (4) returns to the dugout during the season opener against Omaha on Friday, March 28, 2025, at Principal Park in Des Moines.
James Triantos, infielder/outfielder
Triantos has landed on the injured list multiple times this season, and it’s stopped him from following up on what was a huge 2024 season. Still, there’s tons to like about the 22-year-old who was a second-round pick by the Cubs in 2021. Triantos finds ways to get on base, has elite baserunning ability and can play the infield and outfield. He’s also shown the ability to produce some power in the past. Giving up all that won’t be easy. But the skill set is certainly valuable to other teams. The key for Triantos is what do the Cubs have in store for Nico Hoerner down the line?
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More: Iowa Cubs baseball: How James Triantos became one of the Chicago Cubs’ top prospects
Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Five Iowa Cubs who could be dealt at MLB’s trade deadline