(670 The Score) The Winter Meetings should have a dramatic impact on the Cubs’ hope to improve their club for 2025 and beyond, and one of the main storylines for them as executives come together next week is first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger’s future.
While trading the 29-year-old Bellinger doesn’t add up in the mind of some fans, it’s a possibility for a Cubs team that has a traffic jam of outfielders at the big league level. That’s because left fielder Ian Happ and right fielder/designated hitter Seiya Suzuki each hold no-trade clauses while youngsters – Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Canario – have risen in the Cubs’ farm system and are ready for more opportunity. Pete Crow-Armstrong has also established himself as a future star in center field.
That’s why the Cubs moving Bellinger and the $27.5 million owed to him in 2025 could be in the works. A trade of Bellinger would give the Cubs the payroll flexibility to help add to their rotation, their bullpen and the catching position.
As soon as star outfielder Juan Soto chooses which New York club he wants to take $600 million from in free agency, discussions around Bellinger will gain more traction. Recently, the Yankees, Mariners and Astros have all checked in with the Cubs about a Bellinger trade, sources told 670 The Score. Many around baseball expect Soto to make his decision before or during the Winter Meetings.
Bellinger hit .266 with 18 homers, 78 RBIs and a .751 OPS in 130 games in 2024. He held an opt-out clause in his contract but instead chose to remain with the Cubs. Bellinger had a big 2023 season, with 26 homers and an .881 OPS.
Anthony Santander, who’s coming off an All-Star season for the Orioles, is another impact outfielder available in free agency. Teams that miss out on Soto and Santander could potentially turn their attention to Bellinger on the trade market.
The Cubs don't seem willing to eat money in a trade of Bellinger, nor do they intend to just give him away.
At the Winter Meetings, the Cubs will be seeking a catcher and bullpen help. Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen are a pair of catchers on the team’s radar.
The Cubs talked at length with the Blue Jays about Jansen last July before he was traded to the Red Sox.
Righty reliever Kirby Yates and lefty reliever Andrew Chafin are on the Cubs’ radar. The Cubs have been particularly light on veteran left-handed bullpen arms in the past two seasons, with righty reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who's now with the Yankees, often facing dangerous left-handed hitters because of his reverse splits.
Yates, 37, had a terrific 2024 season for the Rangers, posting a 1.17 ERA and 0.83 WHIP in 61 2/3 innings across 50 appearances. He converted 33 of his 34 saves chances.
Chafin, 34, had a 3.51 ERA in 62 appearances for the Rangers and Tigers last season. He pitched for the Cubs in 2020 and 2021.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.