The Major League Baseball offseason is already proving to be equal parts confusing and frustrating for the Chicago Cubs.
Early indications are that the Cubs won't be in on the most expensive free agents in this year's class, which would be a painful cheapskate move from one of the league's biggest-market franchises. And unfortunately, ownership has a half-decent scapegoat if they choose not to spend.
Outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger recently opted into the second year of his Cubs contract after a fairly disappointing 2024 season. Bellinger's player option locks him in for a $27.5 million salary this season, and he has another $25 million player option for 2026.
That means any team trading for the two-time All-Star is on the hook for a total of $52.5 million, and if the Cubs want to get out from under the deal, they may need to eat some money. However, one MLB analyst believes there is a perfect trade partner waiting for the Cubs in the Big Apple.
On Tuesday, Harold Reynolds of MLB Network predicted that Chicago would trade Bellinger to the Yankees this winter, filling the American League champions' obvious hole at first base.
“I think he’s a Yankee,” Reynolds said. “You trade him to the Yankees and put him at first base... Playing in that ballpark, in that lineup, that team, I don’t think Cody Bellinger’s best years are behind him. I think they’re ahead of him.”
Bellinger is still only 29, and is one year removed from an All-Star season in which he batted a career-high .307 with an .881 OPS. Unfortunately, his numbers regressed considerably in 2024, as the former Most Valuable player had just a .751 OPS and 18 home runs in 130 games.
The Cubs are fairly well set in the outfield and at first base, which makes trading Bellinger all the more desirable. There aren't many teams willing to take on such a big contract for a player with an up-and-down track record, but the Yankees may just be the team to do it.
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