Did Cubs reveal trade deadline plans by using first two draft picks on outfielders?

The Chicago Cubs had an excellent first half of the season, owning the third-best record in Major League Baseball at 57-39.

The Cubs held on to a one-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central by taking the final two games of a three-game set against the New York Yankees.

Chicago lost 11-0 in the series opener, but first-time All-Star Matthew Boyd and ace Shota Imanaga dealt over a combined 13 innings, allowing just one run and striking out 12.

While Boyd has been spectacular and Imanaga has looked great when healthy, the Cubs are in desperate need of pitching help before the trade deadline.

The Cubs want a frontline starter to join Boyd and Imanaga, but the market is pretty thin.

Miami Marlins former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is the most talented starter available, but the Marlins have put an expensive price tag on him and he’s looked horrible this season.

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Regardless of who the Cubs pursue at the deadline, they are expected to part ways with one of or both outfielders Owen Caissie (Cubs No. 1, MLB No. 42) and Kevin Alcántara (Cubs No. 4, MLB No. 85).

The Cubs may have just drafted their replacements in the first two rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Chicago selected Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad with the 17^th overall pick and University of North Carolina outfielder Kane Kepley with the 56^th overall pick.

“He’s one of the more well-rounded players in the college class,” said MLB.com Pipeline expert Jim Callis about Conrad. “He can get aggressive at the plate but makes a lot of contact. He could be an above-average hitter for average and power if it all comes together, and a chance to play center field.”

“Kepley is an on-base machine who executes quality swing decisions from the left side of the plate,” according to MiLB prospect rankings. “He excels at putting the bat on the ball, especially within the strike zone, and rarely chases pitches.”

Prospects like Caissie and Alcántara are hard to replace, but the Cubs draft well and seemingly always find great prospects that end up in the Top 100.

More MLB: Cubs' Matthew Boyd has been the best under-the-radar offseason acquisition