Signaling Owen Ayers' rise, he was among the Chicago Cubs prospects named by Jeff Passan as a potential trade chip before the deadline. With Carson Kelly a free agent this summer, it would seem that Ayers is in a position to potentially make the Cubs' Opening Day roster in 2027. That's not to say the Cubs won't look for veteran insurance this offseason. Ayers was also asked about the trade deadline, and made it clear there was only one place he wanted to be. 2 prospect in the Cubs' system.