Cubs’ surprising Cody Bellinger connection already slapped with bad news

Recently, the Chicago Cubs were floated as a potential destination for Cody Bellinger, who spent two seasons with the Cubs in 2023 and 2024 and largely rebuilt his value after a rough few years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Now, Bellinger is a free agent after a strong 2025 campaign with the New York Yankees, and due to his versatility, he is one of the top players available on the market.

But do the Cubs actually have a legitimate chance of reuniting with Bellinger? Or is Chicago apparently checking in with Bellinger nothing more than a formality?

Well, based on the fact that the Cubs don’t really spend money these days, probably. Yes, Chicago has been linked to Alex Bregman this winter, as well, but I tend to buy the Cubbies’ interest in Bregman more because the need they have for a bat at third base.

Does Bellinger really fill a distinct need for Chicago? Unless the Cubs absolutely do not want Seiya Suzuki playing the outfield, then no, so I find it hard to believe that Jed Hoyer would spend whatever is left of the budget Tom Ricketts provided him on Bellinger.

Not only that, but the Cubs’ Bellinger connection has already received some bad news.

The Chicago Cubs probably aren’t landing Cody Bellinger

The Yankees have widely been viewed as the favorites to re-sign Bellinger, and they recently made him a second offer.

Not only that, but New York has also engaged the Miami Marlins in trade talks for pitcher Edward Cabrera, a deal in which the Yankees could ultimately send Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones to the Marlins. Would New York really jettison Dominguez or Jones if it didn’t expect Bellinger to return in left field next season?

Bellinger seemed to love his time in the Bronx, and it’s important to remember that he spent time in the Yankees dugout as a kid when his father, Clay Bellinger, played for New York in the late ’90s or early 2000s.

There appears to be strong mutual interest in a reunion between Bellinger and the Yanks, so where do the Cubs fit in here?

Is it possible Chicago is just being used as leverage? Or maybe the Cubs just placed a call to the former NL MVP to gauge his price?

More than likely, Bellinger will not be returning to the Windy City.

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