Cubs receive crushing news in pursuit of top free agent slugger

The Chicago Cubs have already struck once this winter, landing pitcher Edward Cabrera in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins. But are they primed to make another move?

While Cabrera was a much-needed addition to the starting rotation, the Cubs still need to add another bat. It’s looking like Kyle Tucker is a goner in free agency, which leaves a massive hole in Chicago’s lineup.

We have already heard throughout the offseason that third baseman Alex Bregman is a potential target for the Cubs, and recently, another interesting — and familiar — name surfaced: outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger spent two seasons in Chicago between 2023 and 2024 before being traded to the New York Yankees last winter. Now, the 30-year-old is on the open market, and the Cubs have checked in on the former NL MVP.

However, Chicago’s interest may be short lived.

Chicago Cubs receive crushing news on Cody Bellinger

The Cubs do have some money to spend, as Cabrera will only cost them $3.75 million in 2026. But do they really want to spend $36-37 million on Bellinger?

Apparently, that is what Bellinger and agent Scott Boras are demanding in free agency, and over seven years, to boot. It seems wildly unlikely that Chicago will match that price, especially given how tight Tom Ricketts has been with the budget in recent years.

Bellinger is a good player, but he is not quite worth that much.

This past season, the lefty slugger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI over 656 plate appearances for the Yankees while playing stellar corner outfield defense. But he didn’t even make an All-Star team, and he hasn’t played in a midsummer classic since 2019, his MVP season.

Since that MVP campaign, Bellinger has really only had two very good seasons, and given his injury history, he would be a considerable risk at $30 million annually over five years; let alone $36-37 million across seven.

At this point, the Cubs seem more likely to turn their attention to Bregman, although based on Bellinger’s asking price, you now have to seriously worry about how much Bregman would cost, as well.

We’ll see if Chicago is able to make a significant move for a bat in the coming weeks.

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