According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs are still actively shopping their $27.5 million outfielder Cody Bellinger.
"While rival executives say the Chicago Cubs want to trade first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, they also note the difficulty the team likely will face pulling off such a move," Rosenthal wrote.
Chicago is looking to free up a bit of cap so they can pursue bigger free agents this winter. It's tough to pursue any of the top names like Pete Alonso and Corbin Burnes when nearly $30 million is wrapped up in Bellinger.
Remember, Bellinger can play outfield, first base, or comfortably slot in as a DH. The Cubs will likely eat some of his contract to move him, so the suitors should be plentiful.
Which teams are the best trade fits for the former National League MVP?
6. San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are actively looking to improve under the new leadership of franchise legend Buster Posey. One position of need is in the outfield, where Bellinger would slot in perfectly.
San Francisco has to chase the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in its own division before it can worry about coming home with the World Series title. A move for Bellinger would push the Giants in the right direction without breaking the bank.
5. Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals have a very talented young core of prospects. They're built on youth, but unfortunately for them, youth doesn't win championships right now.
That's why the Nationals are continuing to be rumored landing spots for many veteran bats and arms this offseason. Bellinger could very well find himself playing in Washington as a utility man. If he can turn back the clock to 2023, he would be the massive boost that Washington needs to compete again.
4. Seattle Mariners
There may not be a team in baseball that needs to add offense more than the Seattle Mariners. Seattle has a decent-looking outfield, but adding Bellinger to DH and play first while also acting as the fourth outfielder would be a huge move.
The Mariners have the pitching to win a championship. They just need to add the bats. I expect them to be very aggressive in free agency, potentially looking at pieces like Pete Alonso and Gleyber Torres. If they can swing a Bellinger trade on top of their free agent additions, the Mariners will be in a great place by opening day.
3. New York Mets
Bellinger would act as an emergency Juan Soto backup plan for the New York Mets. If they land Soto, they could still explore the Bellinger trade in order for him to play first base and DH, but New York would much rather fill that hole with Alonso.
Still, the Mets should be seen as one of the favorites to land Bellinger, mostly because it seems like owner Steve Cohen will stop at nothing to put a good team on the field in 2025. If that means taking on part of Bellinger's contract and dealing a few prospects, then so be it.
2. Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers found themselves mixed in the Soto rumors for a bit, but ultimately that won't be the likely outcome. While there's still a chance, it's not very high. Instead, they could pivot to trading for Bellinger, the same player who began his career in Los Angeles and won an NL MVP trophy there.
Los Angeles is going to be very aggressive and Bellinger may prefer to land with his former team. The only thing stopping this might be Chicago's unwillingness to deal a talented player to the best team in the league.
1. New York Yankees
Remember what I said earlier about Bellinger being able to play first base or the outfield? That fits the New York Yankees perfectly.
New York needs a first baseman and they need an additional outfielder, especially if Soto bolts in free agency. But even if Soto returns to the Bronx, the Yankees could slot Bellinger in as their everyday first baseman.
This would allow them to not have to worry about Pete Alonso or Christian Walker in free agency. Bellinger would fill major holes in the Yankees lineup if they can acquire him for the right price.
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