As of July 25, 2025, the 60-41 Cubs eye a World Series run. With prospects like Ballesteros & Alcántara, will they leverage their top farm system at the deadline?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Wrigleyville was quiet on Friday, with no Cubs game on the schedule to stir the city. But don't mistake the silence for inactivity. While the players enjoy a well-deserved day off, the real action is happening behind closed doors as the MLB trade deadline looms. Sitting comfortably atop the NL Central with a stellar 60-41 record, the Cubs aren't just thinking about making the playoffs—they're plotting a deep October run, and their biggest leverage is waiting in the wings.
'At the Trade Deadline, teams will probably want some guys that are big league ready, and if we have lots of big league ready players in Triple-A, that helps us a lot.' - Jason Kanzler, Cubs Farm Director
The Cubs' greatest strength heading into the deadline isn't on the major league roster—it's in the minors. The organization boasts a league-best seven players in baseball's Top 100 prospects, creating a treasure trove of assets. Even after dealing Cam Smith for Kyle Tucker, the pipeline is overflowing with talent like catcher/first baseman Moises Ballesteros, outfielder Kevin Alcántara, and the rapidly rising infielder Jefferson Rojas. This depth, particularly at the upper levels, gives the front office incredible flexibility to acquire a key piece without mortgaging the entire future.
Let's not lose sight of how dominant this team has been. A 60-41 record and a 99.7% chance to make the postseason is a phenomenal position to be in. The current roster is healthy, stable, and winning ballgames, as evidenced by the lack of any injury updates or roster moves on Friday. This isn't a team patching holes; it's a contender looking for the final piece of the puzzle. The front office can operate from a position of strength, not desperation.
As the weekend approaches, the calm will soon give way to a flurry of activity across the league. The Cubs are rested, in first place, and hold some of the most valuable cards in the trade deadline deck. Who will they target? Which prospects might be on the move? The next few days will define whether this great Cubs team becomes a true championship favorite. Get ready, Cubs fans, the storm is coming.
