The Chicago Cubs are in a bit of a weird spot as a franchise. They're looking to win in a big way, especially as it seems the Milwaukee Brewers may take a step back. But instead of being all in to buy talent, the Cubs need to dump some of their expensive contracts first.
This includes desperately trying to find a trade suitor for former MVP Cody Bellinger, who signed an $80 million deal with Chicago last offseason. While getting off the contract completely is nearly impossible, the Cubs could eat part of the money to move Bellinger while bringing prospects back in return.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic recently predicted the Cubs could move Bellinger in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros.
"The Astros have needs at first base and in center field and Bellinger would solve either position for them, depending on where they decide to play him. He has Gold Glove-caliber potential at first base and is a plus defender in center field," Bowden wrote. "Bellinger is coming off a down year in which he hit .266/.325/.426 with 18 homers and a 111 OPS+. He was worth 2.2 WAR a year after his 4.4-WAR first season in Chicago."
This potential trade could make quite a bit of sense. The Astros have the need that Bellinger would fill flawlessly. Chicago is desperately trying to move the former MVP, so Houston could likely acquire him for fairly cheap.
Dumping a part of Bellinger's contract would work wonders for the Cubs over the next few seasons. Chicago would clear up some money to make bigger moves this winter than anybody expected them to make.
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