The Chicago Cubs have added some reinforcements for the stretch run in September, but it’s come at the cost of their top prospect. Fans have been frustrated by the lack of playing time given to outfielder Owen Caissie, who was called up on Aug. 14, and received 25 total plate appearances. Well, it appears as though that’s all Cubs’ fans will see out of Caissie for the rest of the 2025 season as the Cubs have optioned the 23-year-old back to Triple-A as rosters expanded on Monday.
On Sunday, news broke that the Cubs were acquiring veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. The 39-year-old was released by the Cleveland Guardians last week after the switch-hitter posted a .650 OPS in 116 games.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have also called up another one of their other top outfield prospects from Triple-A, who is essentially taking Caissie’s spot on the active roster.
Kevin Alcántara, who was called up last September and played in three games for the Cubs, is back in the majors. The 23-year-old gives Craig Counsell another viable option to play center field and there’s a chance Alcántara might actually get more playing time than Caissie, considering the recent struggles at the plate by Pete Crow-Armstrong and Willi Castro.
Some fans might be upset, but this move is all about versatility. Alcántara can handle center field, Caissie can’t. Plus, there’s obviously the platoon standpoint as Alcántara has crushed left-handed pitching this year at Triple-A to the tune of a .998 OPS. I mentioned PCA’s struggles at the plate, so we could see more of Alcántara against lefties in September.
As for Santana, he’s still a good defensive first baseman, racking up 11 defensive runs saved with Cleveland this year. The veteran player also won a gold glove at first base in 2024. So, Cubs fans will probably see Santana come in for the final couple innings of a game whenever Counsell uses Justin Turner to pinch-hit for Michael Busch.
I completely get the angst over Caissie not really getting much playing time, but at the same time the Cubs are going to sink or swim with their starting outfielder. And by the way, as much as a loud portion of the fan base hates Ian Happ, the left fielder has been outstanding since he was moved out of the leadoff spot prior to the All-Star break, so it’s not like Caissie was going to get starts over him. Kyle Tucker has been on fire since he was benched for a few days.
The only thing that does seem a bit perplexing was not giving Seiya Suzuki a few more off days and giving Caissie those at-bats because the designated hitter was really slumping in August. But that’s in the past now and Caissie will have to wait for another opportunity to prove himself in the majors.
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