Chicago Cubs have Cody Bellinger back on their radar, per report

The Chicago Cubs were said to have a definite plan in place when it came to this offseason.

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The principle target was pitching. Reports indicated that the front office would be focused on acquiring a front-of-rotation starter to fortify a staff that seemed to whither towards the end of the season and into the postseason. They’d also need to focus on rebuilding a bullpen that was emptied out due to free agency.

Second to pitching, the Cubs had to find a way to replace outgoing right fielder Kyle Tucker, whose contract demands would probably be too much for the frugal Cubs ownership to even consider. Seiya Suzuki and rookie Owen Caissie have been pegged to handle the spot, but there are legit concerns about both as full-time right fielders.

Cody Bellinger: From fan chatter to reality?

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Media and fans, in response to the corner outfield question mark, have tossed out the idea of a possible reunion with Cody Bellinger, who is also a free agent and will come at a slightly less hefty price than Tucker. But, really, the Cubs-Bellinger reboot was little more than fantasy chatter for a, thus far, dull Cubs offseason– until, possibly, now.

Matthew Trueblood of North Side Baseball has reported that, per his sources, Bellinger is actually on the Cubs’ radar as a backup free agent option to Tucker and third baseman Alex Bregman.

Per Trueblood:

“The other two players the team has shown interest in, according to a league source, are extremely familiar names to Cubs fans: Alex Bregman and Cody Bellinger. Agent Scott Boras has been dissatisfied with the offers for both hitters thus far, though Bellinger is expected to wait out the market and sign sometime in January, anyway. The arguments for and against signing either player are well-documented, by now, but the Cubs are taking an opportunistic stance on each…Signing Bellinger could free up Owen Caissie or Moises Ballesteros to be dealt.”

What Bellinger brings to the table

The Cubs are well aware of what Bellinger brings to the table and how he’d fit into the 2026 squad (and beyond).

The former Dodger, Cub, and Yankee can play all three outfield spots, plus first base, and is all-around adept defensively. He’s also a multi-tool asset, bringing speed and power to the offense. On the down side, he is a frustratingly streaky hitter who will light things up for a short stretch of time, but then fall into a funk for an extended period afterwards.

Bellinger, who will be 31 this coming July, was traded by the Cubs to the Yankees shortly after the trade for Tucker, in a move that was considered a blatant $27 million salary dump, for pitcher Cody Poteet (who was later traded away to the Orioles for cash considerations). In New York, he hit 29 home runs and drove in 98 runs, while stealing 13 bases.

In two seasons with the Cubs, the left-hander hit .286 with 44 home runs and 175 RBIs in 260 games.

Money matters

After turning a down his $25 million player option following a solid bounce back year in New York, the nine-year veteran is opting to try his luck on the open market, although that market has been a bit tepid so far.

His salability will likely change, however, as the winter progresses and after market price is set by Tucker, who is similar in tool set and age (28).

As of right now, The Cubs’ interest in Bellinger– if reports are correct– has to be seen as a superficial kicking of tires. But that could definitely change. By all accounts, Bellinger harbors no grudge against Chicago for trading him and he’s repeatedly spoken about his love of the city and fans.

Having Bellinger back in right field, occasionally spelling Pete Crow-Armstrong in center and Michael Busch at first base, wouldn’t be a terrible thing, although it certainly can’t be the Cubs’ plan A at the moment.

The post Chicago Cubs have Cody Bellinger back on their radar, per report appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-cody-bellinger-kyle-tucker-free-agent