The Chicago Cubs are already finding the Major League Baseball offseason to be as perplexing and irritating. It would be a devastating cheapskate move from one of the league’s biggest-market teams if the Cubs were to pass up the most costly free agents in this year’s class, according to early indications.
Additionally, if they decide not to spend, ownership has a half-decent scapegoat. Following a rather dismal 2024 season, Cody Bellinger, an outfielder and first baseman, just elected to enter the second year of his Cubs deal. Bellinger has a $25 million player option for 2026 in addition to his player option, which guarantees him a $27.5 million salary this season.
The Cubs may have to forgo some money if they wish to avoid the deal, since any team that trades for the two-time All-Star is responsible for a total of $52.5 million. But according to one MLB observer, the Cubs are looking for the ideal trade partner in New York City.
In order to cover the apparent first base need left by the American League champs, Harold Reynolds of MLB Network forecast on Tuesday that Chicago would trade Bellinger to the Yankees this winter. “He seems like a Yankee to me,” Reynolds remarked. “You put him at first base after trading him to the Yankees…
With that lineup, that squad, and that ballpark, I don’t think Cody Bellinger’s finest days are over. They seem to be ahead of him. Still only 29, Bellinger just had an All-Star season in which he batted a career-high.307 with an OPS of.881. Unfortunately, the former Most Valuable Player’s stats significantly declined in 2024, as he only managed 18 home runs and.751 OPS in 130 games.
Bellinger is a desirable trade because the Cubs are reasonably well-positioned at first base and in the outfield. For a player with a mixed record, few teams are prepared to sign such a large contract, but the Yankees might be the team to do so.
