Chicago Cubs prospects post cryptic messages ahead of trade deadline

The Chicago Cubs are expected to be aggressive buyers ahead of the August 3 MLB trade deadline.

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With a stressed and strained pitching staff currently manned by emergency fill-ins and castoffs from other teams due to injury, the Cubs need some real impact pitchers on the roster if they’re serious about doing anything in the postseason.

If the front office goes big at the deadline, the team could be trading away a good chunk of its prospect capital. That’s especially likely when considering that much of the young talents at the highest level of the farm system finds their major league paths blocked by established veterans.

Ballesteros and Alcantara get cryptic

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Two such talents—Moises Ballesteros and Kevin Alcantara—recently took to social media and posted cryptic messages to fans that sounded like self-motivational notes ahead of some major professional change. Many are speculating that the change in question involves an upcoming trade.

Per Alcantara, who was demoted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday (translated from Spanish):

“Opportunities come and go, but only God knows the destiny He has in store for you.

Only He knows what is in your heart, the effort you put in every day, and how hard you strive to move forward.

Love yourself, trust in your work, and believe in your abilities and everything that strengthens your spirit. Peace of mind is an invaluable gift; no one can take it away from you unless you allow it.

The best thing in life is having the opportunity to do what you love. Never forget to tell yourself that you are a being of light, because the only person who can dim that light is you.

May God bless your path today and always.”

Per Ballesteros, who was demoted back in mid-June (also translated from Spanish):

“Seize every day’s opportunities as if it were your last; life is like a rollercoaster—just enjoy the ride, smile, and live happily.”

Self-motivation or farewell?

Of course, these posts could just as easily be simple motivational quotes. Players are prone to doing that sometimes. Alcantara, after all, was just sent down and Ballesteros doesn’t seem to be back on the way up anytime soon.

Or maybe they’ve heard something about their immediate futures ahead of the trade deadline.

The Cubs farm system is currently top-heavy with position player prospects who may currently have more value to the big league team as tradeable assets.

Alcantara got little playing time during his two major league call-ups this season, but he got enough of a look to show that he still has a ways to go before being major league-ready at the plate. Ballestros, meanwhile, has had flashes of big league hitting prowess, but just couldn’t adapt to the changes pitchers made against him.

Also on the list of young talent that could be shipped off prior to the deadline is Matt Shaw, Pedro Ramirez, Jonathon Long, James Triantos, Owen Ayers, and Jefferson Rojas.

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