Sports

As Trade Deadline Approaches, Whom Might Chicago Cubs Look to Move?

Published

5 months ago

July 2, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As Trade Deadline Approaches, Whom Might Chicago Cubs Look to Move?

Cubs Video

The trade deadline is the equalizer in baseball. Regardless of your status—as a team fighting for the playoffs, or a team more excited about draft-positioning—the reality is your team is likely to be active in the leadup to July 31. That’s not to say there isn’t a side that’s more fun to be on, and thankfully for the Chicago Cubs, it seems as though they’re likely to be on the right side of things; buying. It means that your season has gone well, and in the Cubs’ case, it’s gone very well. But no team is perfect. The Cubs are hoping to acquire some pitching and hitting at the deadline.

The deadline is a bit bittersweet, as well. While the Cubs may acquire a new front-line starter or a third baseman, it will mean names and players will be headed outside of the organization. For someone who spends as much time on the minor-league side of things as I do, it can be difficult to see some of your passion projects head out for a rental. But c’est la vie. I’d also like to see the team win a World Series.

With that said, here are a few names who could end up outside of the organization. This isn’t meant as a ranking list, just names I think we should familiarize ourselves with as possibilities to leave, and what they may become down the road.

1. Kevin Alcántara or Owen Caissie:
I’m going to cheat right off the bat and say two players for one slot. I think these two are inevitably tied together, in a “one goes, one stays” type of situation. Caissie, for example, was already almost traded for Jesús Luzardo this offseason, so we have precedent for what Caissie is likely to be able to bring back.

Either way, when the Cubs make their biggest deadline splash, I would guess one of these two names will be part of that package. There are some who have strong preferences between them, but whichever way that breaks for you, these represent their best prospects I think are likely to move.

In terms of their upside, both offer first-division starter upside. Alcántara is a bit of a unicorn, at 6-foot-6 and capable of playing an above-average center field. Caissie, on the other hand, is beginning to flash enough power where you can squint and see 35 or more home runs from his left-handed swing. Both have enough red flags with their swing-and-miss tendencies that both could come up far short. Because both are outfielders (primarily), I do think their fate is tied with one another. I’m prepared to lose one of these in the next 31 days. In fact, I would call it an upset if they didn’t.

2. Moisés Ballesteros
I don’t think it’s over 50% that they deal Ballesteros, but I think it’s more likely than people might think, as well. The reality on Ballesteros is that his defensive value makes you question what his ceiling is, and how the Cubs view his defensive production and value will factor in. If the Cubs believe Ballesteros can start 75 games (or so) behind the dish at the MLB level, then he’s probably too good to trade—barring an elite player with some team control attached. His contact ability, combined with his 20-homer power and approach, could make him a star at the position, even if he’s only there half of the time. However, if you’re unconvinced of the progress there, and he’s likely a DH? Well, that changes the math.

I added Ballesteros here because I don’t think he’s entirely off-limits, if the Cubs question the defense. They called him up when they needed a DH, but found a 40-man spot for Reese McGuire when they needed a catcher. While it doesn’t explain their long-term view, it says in the interim, he’s not viewed as ready to catch in the big leagues. If the Cubs decide to make a big splash, I do think he could go. (The Twins, for the record, really need a new complementary catcher.)

3. Jonathon Long
Long has had a really great year, posting great Statcast data on top of being 23% better than the league average in Iowa. He maintains strong contact ability, big exit velocities, and strong walk totals. However, as a first baseman with power that likely sits between 18-25 home runs, I do question how the Cubs will view him, long-term. It wouldn’t be crazy to see him as a good-not-great upside prospect and “found money”. Long was just a ninth-round selection in 2023, so getting any value out of him is a win—even if that value comes via trade.

Long probably cannot headline the “big” deal, but could headline a smaller one or act as a secondary piece. There’s some chance that this one hurts on the back end, if Long lands in a favorable spot and his exit velocities translate. At the same time, Long may never hit for enough power to be a great first baseman or DH. He feels likely to move, with the Cubs already stocked with plenty of bat-first guys.

4. Christian Franklin
Much like the aforementioned Long, Franklin is probably a trade candidate due to his roster circumstances. I like Franklin, and have written about him in the past. The Statcast data looks pretty solid, he’s got a wonderful plate approach, and he’s mostly playable across the outfield. Upside-wise, he could be a second-division starter or a high-level fourth outfielder. But I also think that is exactly why he will be dealt; he’s likely to be more valuable to another team, with contention out on the horizon.

Again, like Long, Franklin probably is incapable of headlining any trade. He could be coupled with some sort of a low-level lottery ticket. A few years ago, the Cubs traded left-handed reliever Andrew Chafin to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for Daniel Palencia and Greg Deichmann. Deichmann looked like a low-ceiling but high-floor guy in Triple-A, and Palencia was the low-level, high-upside lottery ticket. Franklin and something like JP Wheat could bring back a solid enough reliever on the back end. I would expect that’s the kind of move Franklin goes in.

5. Riley Martin
No, I will not shut up about this guy. I’ve talked about him a bunch lately, both in writing here and on the podcast, but I think he’s an interesting name to keep in mind in July. At 27 years old, Martin isn’t young, but he fits a “late bloomer” mold. He’s showing improved strikeout and walk rates in Iowa; he’s probably ready for the majors. With the Cubs, he’s stuck behind the Caleb Thielbar and Drew Pomeranz lefty combo, but is also probably still behind internal lefties like Jordan Wicks and Luke Little.

Martin profiles as a mid-inning reliever, which means his trade value is probably pretty limited. However, I also expect he will be a name most teams will circle as a throw-in. His curveball is great, his fastball shape is solid, and he’s basically ready to go. As a third piece in a deal or the guy you swap a rental bench piece for, you can do a lot worse than Riley Martin. The payoff isn’t massive, but left-handed arms will always be in demand. I know if I were the Pirates, the A’s, the Rockies, he’d be a name I’d try to sneak into a deal.

Bonus Name: Jordan Wicks
I didn’t think he was so certain that I needed to add him to this list, but Wicks feels like a name that’s bound to come up. There’s draft pedigree behind him, and while his MLB data can look unimpressive at times, he’s made some good noise in Iowa recently and the velo has ticked up. Injuries seem to have knocked his value down. Perhaps he can be used in a trade to get a controllable arm back, or maybe the Cubs just don’t want to sell at pennies on the dollar. I find Wicks an interesting name to monitor.

What do you think, will the Cubs make a big July splash? Who do you think will be traded? Let us know in the comments below.

Interested in learning more about the Chicago Cubs’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

View Cubs Top Prospects

Sports

Dominique Brown Breaks Longstanding School Record As 31 Spartans Set PR’s at Visit Winston-Salem College Kick Off – University of South Carolina

Published

1 hour ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – USC Upstate track and field began the indoor season at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick Off today.
The first meet of the season was a successful one, highlighted by freshman Dominique Brown breaking the school record in the women’s 400m with her time of 57.51. The previous school record has stood for 10 years.

Head Coach Carson Blackwelder said, “This was a great start to the track season. We have a very talented team with a lot of potential ahead of us.” A total of 31different Spartans all set personal records in today’s meet.

In addition to Brown, Jenelda Aristhil earned a top finish in both the weight throw and shot put. Michael Moody placed third in the men’s long jump, going a distance of 7.00m.

Coach Blackwelder continued to praise his team, saying, “The 400m runners did a great job on Saturday, and we saw some of the fastest times in school history. The throwers hit some big marks and achieved PRs all around.”

Top Performances (Women):

Dominique Brown – 400m- 57.51 – fifth place (School Record)

Jenelda Aristhil – Weight Throw – 16.96m – fourth place (third all-time in school history)

Shot Put – 12.40m – seventh place (10th all-time in school history)

Paden Bell – 400m – 59.77 (eighth all-time in school history)

Ayla Osterkamp – 400m – 59.85 (ninth all-time in school history)

Aryanna Perez – High Jump – 1.49m (10th all-time in school history)

Jamyllah Handy – Triple Jump – 11.17m (seventh all-time in school history)

Personal Bests (Women)

Brittany Benson– 60m, 200m

Dominique Brown– 60m

Mya Jackson– 60m

Aryanna Perez– 60m Hurdles

Richard’ia Allen– 200m

Paden Bell– 400m

Ayla Osterkamp– 400m

Nia Glover– 400m

Emma Grace Kutilek– 800m

Aryanna Perez– High Jump, Long Jump

Jamyllah Handy– Long Jump, Triple Jump

Jenelda Aristhil– Shot Put, Weight

Saniyah Joyner– Shot Put

Top Performances (Men):

Michael Moody – Long Jump – 7.00m – third place (fifth all-time in school history )

Quintavius James – 60m – 6.83 – fourth place

Jalen Clark – Long Jump – 6.95m – fifth place (sixth all-time in school history)

Collin Bui-Hayes – 60m – 6.88 – seventh place (fourth all-time in school history)

Jeremiah Harris – 200m – 21.53 – seventh place (second all-time in school history)

Shriyaan Krishnaraj – 400m – 48.94 (second all-time in school history)

Elias Harrison – 800m -1:57.98 – 7th place

Pierce Mosley – Shot Put – 14.46m (sixth all-time in school history

Weight – 15.48m – sixth place

Joshua Sterling – Weight- 17.52m – 3rd place (fourth all-time in school history)

Shot Put – 13.68m (10th all-time in school history)

Hunter, Walston, Ruff, Krishnaraj – 4x400m – 2:22.12 – fifth place

Personal Bests

Collin Bui-Hayes– 60m

Evan Daniels– 60m

Jared Isley– 60m Hurdles

ZaCorian Johnson– 200m

Khalif Walston– 200m

Cason McKinney– 200m

Jeremiah Harris– 200m

Shriyaan Krishnaraj– 400m

Chandler Hunter– 400m

Jacob Ruff– 400m

Aidan Kenny– High Jump

Michael Moody– Long Jump

Pierce Mosley– Shot Put

Joshua Sterling– Shot Put

Sam Ketch– Shot Put

Nathaniel Bruce– Shot Put

Tristan Pressley– Triple Jump

Jaylen Pressley– Triple Jump

Up Next for the Spartans

The Spartans resume the season in January, competing at the Tryon International Classic held on the 16th and 17th.

Connect with the Spartans

Facebook.com/UpstateAthletics

Twitter | @UpstateXCTrack @UpstateSpartans

Instagram | @UpstateXCTrack @UpstateSpartans

YouTube.com/UpstateSpartans

INVEST IN CHAMPIONS – Join the Upstate Athletic Fund (UAF) and enjoy enhanced benefits for your support of all USC Upstate programs! Make your gift today, click here!

Link

Sports

Where to stream Kansas State Wildcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament today

Published

1 hour ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

If you purchase a product through a link on our site, we may receive compensation.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers look to keep their impressive season going on Saturday night, as they get set to host the Kansas State Wildcats in the second round of the 2025 NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament.

Nebraska looked impressive in the first round of the tournament, vanquishing the Long Island Sharks in straight sets.

The Cornhuskers rolled toward another Big Ten championship. Nebraska has been dominant. Not only are they undefeated, but they have also been nearly untouchable. For two months, the team did not lose a set. The team then went on to win its final five matches in straight sets, clinching a third consecutive Big Ten Championship.

Now, the program that has played in every national tournament since the AIAW days has its sights set on advancing to the final four for the fourth time in the past five seasons. Nebraska looks to avenge last year’s disappointing semifinal exit at the hands of the eventual national champions, Penn State.

They take on a Kansas State that had to work hard to upset San Diego in the opening round, winning in straight sets on Friday. The Wildcats, who are playing in the national tournament for the first time in four years, look to grab the biggest of upsets and move on to the regional semifinal for the first time since 2011.

NCAA WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Second Round

Kansas State Wildcats vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

When: Saturday, December 6

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Where: Bob Devaney Sports Center (Lincoln, Neb.)

Stream: ESPN+

Link

Sports

Jane Hedengren Obliterates the NCAA 5K Record in Boston

Published

2 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Two weeks after finishing second at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships, freshman Jane Hedengren shattered the collegiate record in the 5,000 meters.

On Saturday, December 6, the Brigham Young University standout won the women’s elite race in 14:44.79 at the BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener. With a huge surge in the second half of the race, Hedengren improved on the previous indoor collegiate record (14:52.57) set by Doris Lemngole of Alabama at the same meet in Boston last year.

Hedengren also broke the combined collegiate record (indoor and outdoor track), 14:52.18, set by Parker Valby at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Hedengren is now No. 2 on the U.S. all-time list and No. 11 on the world all-time list in the event, indoors.

“This season, there’s been a lot of growth, and I think there’s still so much to build on, lots of gratitude approaching this race and this season, and I’m excited to keep working,” Hedengren told Nia Gibson on the FloTrack broadcast after the race.

Hedengren showed her dominance early at Boston University’s indoor facility. From the gun, Hedengren and Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico both positioned themselves behind pacesetter Ellie Leather through the first mile in 4:48, on pace for a 14:55 finish. By the 2K split, both athletes had pulled ahead of the chase pack by 50 meters.

That gap continued to grow heading into the halfway mark as the cross-country rivals dueled for the lead. Just after the 3,000-meter split, which the pair covered in 8:59, Hedengren surged ahead of Kosgei and never looked back.

For the last 2,000 meters, Hedengren knocked off blazing 34 to 35-second splits for each lap until throwing down an impressive 66-second close for the final 400 meters. Her teammate, Riley Chamberlain, battled for second-place in 14:58.97, a 25-second personal best. Kosgei finished third in 15:05:41.

Before she graduated from Timpview High School in Provo, Utah, last spring, Hedengren broke nine national records on the track—including the 5,000 meters in April when she became the first high school girl to go sub-15 for the distance.

At 19 years old, Hedengren has already emerged as an NCAA leader in her first season running for the Cougars. In October, she dominated the Pre-National Invitational and shattered the course record in her collegiate cross-country debut. She went on to win the Big 12 Championships and NCAA Mountain Region Championships by huge margins.

In late November, Hedengren was competing for the win at the NCAA Cross-Country Championships but couldn’t match the closing speed of Lemngole, the defending champion. With a surge in the last kilometer of the race in Columbia, Missouri, the junior from Kenya claimed the 6K title in 18:25, about 13 seconds ahead of Hedengren.

In a quick turnaround to the track season, Hedengren earned a form of redemption in Boston. She is the most recent athlete in the last several years to break the collegiate record at the indoor season opener, which many elite athletes utilize as a final push of fitness before the holidays. Lemngole—and Valby prior to her—set the indoor record at the same meet.

Taylor Dutch is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas, and a former NCAA track athlete who specializes in fitness, wellness, and endurance sports coverage. Her work has appeared in Runner’s World, SELF, Bicycling, Outside, and Podium Runner.

Link

Sports

Gophers volleyball wins NCAA Tournament opener, avoids St. Thomas matchup

Published

2 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Minnesota volleyball opened NCAA Tournament play on Friday at Maturi Pavilion with a dominant sweep over Fairfield University. It marks the 11th straight year that the Gophers have won a first-round game.

And we dance on 💃 pic.twitter.com/k5zoEO1vPU

— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) December 6, 2025

Subscribe: Sign up to receive the free Gophers On SI newsletter

The Gophers were seeded fourth in their region after a 22-9 regular-season campaign. The other game in their Minneapolis pod was five-seed Iowa State against in-state foe St. Thomas, which played its first-ever game in the NCAA Tournament on Friday. The Cyclones won a five-set battle before Minnesota’s game.

“I’m proud of our team for playing our brand of volleyball. Serving, blocking and playing really clean. Tomorrow will be a big challenge. Iowa State is a great team in a lot of facets, especially defensively,” Minnesota head coach Keegan Cook said after the game.

Minnesota already beat St. Thomas three sets to one in a nonconference game in August, but an NCAA Tournament clash in the Tommies’ first season eligible would’ve felt like a huge contest. Ultimately, Iowa State will face the Gophers on Saturday night at 7 p.m. CT at Maturi Pavilion with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.

The Cyclones had an impressive 22-7 regular-season campaign, and a 12-6 mark in the Big 12. Saturday’s showdown should be a great contest between two of the better college volleyball programs in the Midwest.

Elliot and Thuotte Highlight Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season Opener

Published

2 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BOSTON, Mass. — Regis College men’s track and field kicked off their indoor season today at the Reggie Lewis Center, competing in the Suffolk Relays and setting two new program records.

Senior Brady Elliot (Charlestown, N.H.) made an impressive debut for the Pride, placing second in the men’s high jump with a leap of 1.85 meters, establishing a new indoor program record. Elliot also competed in the long jump, finishing 12th with a distance of 6.06 meters. Joseph Doughty (Woburn, Mass.) added a seventh-place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.70 meters.

Justin Thuotte (Lebanon, Conn.) earned three top-ten finishes. His best came in the shot put, where he took third with throw of 12.82 meters to set a new personal best. Thuotte also placed fifth in the long jump, setting a new indoor program record with a leap of 6.65 meters, and finished seventh in the weight throw with a mark of 13.28 meters. Ryan Sweeney (Lynn, Mass.) joined Thuotte on the shot put leaderboard, finishing fourth with a toss of 12.65 meters. Sweeney also set a personal best in the weight throw with an 11.28 meter toss.

Jalen Jones (Everett, Mass.) claimed fifth place in the triple jump with a mark of 11.94 meters. Meanwhile, DJ Marks (Medford, Mass.) and Luc Willems (Belchertown, Mass.) rounded out the top ten finishers in the high jump and men’s 1000m, respectively. Marks cleared 1.60 meters in the high jump, and Willems crossed the line in 3:18.18 in the 1000-meter run.

In the men’s 1600 sprint medley relay, the team of Zach Olaywole (Marlborough, Mass.), Jones, Elliot, and Nathan Thomas (Medford, Mass.) finished 13th overall with a time of 4:13.28.

The Pride will quickly turn around as they head to UMass Boston tomorrow for the Beacon Season Opener.

Link

Sports

No. 25 Women’s Volleyball Falls to No. 3 Texas in NCAA Second Round – Penn State

Published

2 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

AUSTIN, Texas – No. 25 Penn State’s 45^th-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament came to an end in the second round Saturday with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19) loss to No. 3 Texas at Gregory Gymnasium. The Nittany Lions close the season at 19-13 overall, while the Longhorns move on with a record of 25-3.

The loss snapped Penn State’s seven-match NCAA Tournament winning streak, which included six victories on the way to last year’s national title. The Nittany Lions remain second in the nation with eight national titles, trailing only Stanford’s nine.

Kennedy Martin tallied 16 kills for Penn State and has now recorded double-digit kills for the 83^rd-consecutive match when she plays at least three sets. Caroline Jurevicius finished with seven kills, while Emmi Sellman chipped in with five.

Gillian Grimes wrapped up an outstanding collegiate career with a team-high 11 digs. She leaves Penn State as a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, making the first team this season and the second team as a junior last season. She now turns her attention to the pro ranks, where she will play for the San Diego Mojo of Major League Volleyball. Grimes was recently picked by the Mojo in the third round of the MLV Draft.

Torrey Stafford led Texas to the win, hitting .556 with 21 kills. Abby Vander Wal joined her in double-digits with 10 kills, while Cari Spears was next with nine.

Penn State now holds an 11-10 lead in the all-time series with Texas. The teams are knotted at 2-2 in NCAA Tournament matchups against each other.

Saturday’s matchup featured the past three national champions as Texas won back-to-back titles in 2022 and 2023 and Penn State took home the trophy last season.

The 2025 Penn State women’s volleyball season is presented by Musselman’s.

Link