CHICAGO – There was no lengthy statement, no press release or social media explanation. When Owen Caissie, the brightest gem in the Cubs’ training system, suddenly appeared on the list of potential trades, he only said one sentence:
“I don’t use Twitter… I just want to continue playing for the Cubs.”
And that was enough. A gentle sentence – but a direct hit to the hearts of fans. Because sometimes, what makes a person a legend is not the number of home runs, but the way they love where they belong – even when the future is on the line.
Owen Caissie – 23 years old, top 100 MLB prospect, is the name expected to change the future of the Chicago Cubs. Every hit he makes for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs is closely watched, every run he makes has Wrigley Field buzzing with anticipation.
But this week, Caissie’s name appears on a list of players who could be traded for a veteran pitcher before the trade deadline.
His reaction?
No anger. No evasion. No argument. Just:
“If I have to leave tomorrow, I’ll thank the Cubs for making me who I am today. But if I get picked, I want to stay… to finish what I started.”
In a private conversation with teammates, Caissie once said he still has the first jersey he received from the Cubs system – the one stained with sweat from his early days. “I thought one MLB game was enough. But here, I want more than that – I want to stay,” he shared.
With a trade on the horizon, many believe the youngster deserves a real chance in blue — and not in another city.
What do Cubs fans say?
“Don’t let us lose another gem like this.”
“He’s not just a good hitter. He loves the Cubs like a son loves his family.”
“You can’t teach loyalty. Keep Caissie, Cubs.”
This week, Caissie took the field for the Iowa Cubs with a quiet smile. He didn’t celebrate RBIs, didn’t wave much to the crowd, but he looked longingly into the stands after each home run.
No one knows if it will be his last game in the Cubs’ system. But one thing is for sure: He never wanted to leave.
“I don’t need trending. I need the Cubs.”
Maybe someone out there saw Caissie as part of a trade. But to the fans – he is the heart of Wrigley’s future. And that heart, is silently praying… to stay.