August 3, 2026 Trade Deadline Rumors/Gossip/Speculation Thread

[Rcal10]

I think the biggest surprise of the TDL was Alcantara is still on the team. I would love to know if that is because no team wanted him in a trade the Cubs deemed to be fair, or if the cubs really think there is a place for him next year. Honestly, if he can hit even .230 and hit 25 homers, even with the strikeouts, isn’t that someone playable? Maybe a guy like Morel who can actually field a position too. Sometimes the trades you don’t make turn out to be the best moves. Maybe Kevin will make us all happy he wasn’t traded. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

4 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I think the biggest surprise of the TDL was Alcantara is still on the team. I would love to know if that is because no team wanted him in a trade the Cubs deemed to be fair, or if the cubs really think there is a place for him next year. Honestly, if he can hit even .230 and hit 25 homers, even with the strikeouts, isn’t that someone playable? Maybe a guy like Morel who can actually field a position too. Sometimes the trades you don’t make turn out to be the best moves. Maybe Kevin will make us all happy he wasn’t traded. 

There's still a good player in there, it's just likely to be as a platoon guy unless he makes major adjustments against righties.

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

There's still a good player in there, it's just likely to be as a platoon guy unless he makes major adjustments against righties.

Tough to be the weak side platoon. I didn’t realize he was really as against right handed pitching. But maybe there is still a place for him. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Tough to be the weak side platoon. I didn’t realize he was really as against right handed pitching. But maybe there is still a place for him. 

I think so, especially with the corner OF questions going into the offseason.

[Rcal10]

Just now, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

I think so, especially with the corner OF questions going into the offseason.

I think he has poor baseball instincts. Seem several baserunning blunders. More than anything I would say that is what annoys CC the most. But next year they either have to carry him on the team or giving him up for nothing. I don’t see them giving him up. 

[CubinNY]

21 hours ago, ILMindState said:

 

I think that guy used to be a regular on here who was really sour but had some knowledge. 

[Bertz]

 

[We Got The Whole 9]

14 minutes ago, Bertz said:

 

Feeling so good about these guys with our defense behind them. 

[Backtobanks]

4 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I think the biggest surprise of the TDL was Alcantara is still on the team. I would love to know if that is because no team wanted him in a trade the Cubs deemed to be fair, or if the cubs really think there is a place for him next year. Honestly, if he can hit even .230 and hit 25 homers, even with the strikeouts, isn’t that someone playable? Maybe a guy like Morel who can actually field a position too. Sometimes the trades you don’t make turn out to be the best moves. Maybe Kevin will make us all happy he wasn’t traded. 

I think Alcantara will be traded this offseason in a package with Shaw for a controllable SP.

Edited 23 hours ago by Backtobanks

[Stratos]

3 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

I think he has poor baseball instincts. Seem several baserunning blunders. More than anything I would say that is what annoys CC the most. But next year they either have to carry him on the team or giving him up for nothing. I don’t see them giving him up. 

As I've said before, I agree the baserunning instincts seem very green.  He seems to also take a bit to get going to full speed.

Sliders from RHP give him fits.  I don't really have high hopes for the guy on the Cubs, he needs to get Caissie'd to some team that can play him everyday and keep developing, hopefully he can turn into an everyday guy.

His main value for us IMO is he can play CF and backup PCA in case of injury.   He can do that in AAA, unfortunately for him.

Maybe he'll get more playing time next year for us, but they don't even like him as a RHB platoon bat or pinch runner this year.  If he can't even hit LHP for us next year he needs to go.

[PeanutPunch33]

Not surprised that Alcantara got optioned again.  Cubs don't need 6 outfielders on the roster.  But I'm more optimistic about Alcantara's future then I ever have been 

[Stratos]

Next year so far it's Cabrera, Steele, Garrett.(edit:  and Brown too).  Assad as depth. Wiggins hopefully healthy and in the wings.  That's a good start.

About 60m in money freed up from Shota, Taillon, Boyd, and Rea to grab more.  That should buy at least 3 good arms.  Could also add a cheaper controllable SP in trade.

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Stratos

[Wilson A2000]

Wait til Tom finds out he’s a little deep into luxury tax territory

[Corbi296]

7 hours ago, Stratos said:

Next year so far it's Cabrera, Steele, Garrett. Assad as depth. Wiggins hopefully healthy and in the wings.  That's a good start.

About 60m in money freed up from Shota, Taillon, Boyd, and Rea to grab more.  That should buy at least 3 good arms.  Could also add a cheaper controllable SP in trade.

 

Did you forget about Ben Brown? He is a starter next year for sure unless they can't figure out how to tweak his mechanics to prevent the stress on his neck from recurring. I also think there is zero chance the Cubs decline their $7.5 million 2027 option on Rea as well as he has pitched and as valuable he has proven to be in various roles. Lastly, if it were me, I'd try to resign Boyd to a 2-3 year deal with an AAV somewhere in the low to mid $20mm range.  

[Outshined_One]

1 hour ago, Corbi296 said:

Did you forget about Ben Brown? He is a starter next year for sure unless they can't figure out how to tweak his mechanics to prevent the stress on his neck from recurring. I also think there is zero chance the Cubs decline their $7.5 million 2027 option on Rea as well as he has pitched and as valuable he has proven to be in various roles. Lastly, if it were me, I'd try to resign Boyd to a 2-3 year deal with an AAV somewhere in the low to mid $20mm range.  

Welcome!

[Bull]

3 hours ago, Corbi296 said:

Did you forget about Ben Brown? He is a starter next year for sure unless they can't figure out how to tweak his mechanics to prevent the stress on his neck from recurring. I also think there is zero chance the Cubs decline their $7.5 million 2027 option on Rea as well as he has pitched and as valuable he has proven to be in various roles. Lastly, if it were me, I'd try to resign Boyd to a 2-3 year deal with an AAV somewhere in the low to mid $20mm range.  

I think you're right on Rea. Counting on two of Steele, Holmes, and Brown seems optimistic. I don't trust 38 year old Matthew Boyd (his age in the final year of your 2-3 year deal).

 

[Stratos]

4 hours ago, Corbi296 said:

Did you forget about Ben Brown? He is a starter next year for sure unless they can't figure out how to tweak his mechanics to prevent the stress on his neck from recurring. I also think there is zero chance the Cubs decline their $7.5 million 2027 option on Rea as well as he has pitched and as valuable he has proven to be in various roles. Lastly, if it were me, I'd try to resign Boyd to a 2-3 year deal with an AAV somewhere in the low to mid $20mm range.  

Yup I forgot about Brown.   Good catch. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Yeah I have the odds pretty high he's gonna sign here. 

 

 

[Jason Ross]

3 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Yeah I have the odds pretty high he's gonna sign here. 

 

 

Obviously an anecdote, but Passan said on his podcast he had a pitcher text him and say "I wish the Cubs would trade for me too!" No names, so it could have been someone horrible, so like, this isn't saying Skubal is coming to the Cubs for cheap.

The defense the Cubs provide is likely quite interesting for pitchers, though, And that's at least a fun thought.

[muntjack]

17 minutes ago, Jason Ross said:

Obviously an anecdote, but Passan said on his podcast he had a pitcher text him and say "I wish the Cubs would trade for me too!" No names, so it could have been someone horrible, so like, this isn't saying Skubal is coming to the Cubs for cheap.

The defense the Cubs provide is likely quite interesting for pitchers, though, And that's at least a fun thought.

 

The Cubs' fanbase is awesome," Skubal said. "It's a ton of fun to play in front of. And whether they're rooting against you or for you, I love the fans."

 

[Jason Ross]

15 minutes ago, muntjack said:

 

The Cubs' fanbase is awesome," Skubal said. "It's a ton of fun to play in front of. And whether they're rooting against you or for you, I love the fans."

 

Skubal to Cubs confirmed. 

[ILMindState]

This team has post Lofton, Ramirez, and Simon TDL vibes. 

[Tryptamine]

57 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Yeah I have the odds pretty high he's gonna sign here. 

 

 

He was supposedly very open to an extension with the Mets, but the Mets never offered him one.

[Post Count Padder]

4 hours ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Yeah I have the odds pretty high he's gonna sign here. 

 

 

Don't he and some of the Cubs FO have history together? And doesn't he work out in the offseason with Ben Brown? Certainly helps.