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A 12 months and a half in the past, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco examined potential commerce companions for the Cubs as they reportedly shopped middle fielder Cody Bellinger forward of the 2023 commerce deadline. Chicago, after all, performed their method again into rivalry and opted to carry onto Bellinger by way of the rest of the 12 months earlier than signing him to a three-year, $80MM deal final winter that afforded Bellinger the chance to choose out after both the 2024 or ’25 seasons. With rookies Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch having emerged because the membership’s on a regular basis choices at middle area and first base, nonetheless, Bellinger’s slot in Chicago has turn out to be a lot murkier headed into 2025.
That’s led them to as soon as once more discover a commerce involving the outfielder, however the marketplace for Bellinger’s companies figures to be a lot softer this time round. Bellinger slashed an unbelievable .317/.367/.545 (144 wRC+) in 324 plate appearances previous to final 12 months’s commerce deadline whereas enjoying middle area frequently for the Cubs, making him probably the most engaging rental hitter in the marketplace at the moment. Flash ahead to right now, and Bellinger is coming off a a lot much less sturdy offensive efficiency: whereas his strikeout (15.6%) and stroll (7.9%) charges remained glorious in 2024, his energy dipped considerably and he didn’t take pleasure in the identical luck on balls in play he did the 12 months prior, leaving him with a .266/.325/.426 slash line that was nonetheless above common (109 wRC+) however a far cry from the manufacturing that earned him down-ballot MVP consideration in his first 12 months as a Cub.
That manufacturing, stable as it could be, shouldn’t be in keeping with the $27.5MM wage Bellinger is poised to earn in 2025. What’s extra, any buying membership could be on the hook for a $20MM participant possibility for 2026 (or a $5MM buyout ought to Bellinger check free company) that solely serves to extend the potential monetary burden related to buying and selling for Bellinger. With that being stated, the 29-year-old stays an above common hitter who’s able to enjoying stable protection in any respect three outfield spots and first base, making him a stable possibility for groups trying to increase the ground of their lineup. For groups on the lookout for an answer in middle, particularly, Bellinger could effectively show to be the most suitable choice out there in a market that’s in any other case led by the light-hitting, glove-first Harrison Bader. Even amongst first baseman, Bellinger seems to be to be one of many higher choices out there when in comparison with a free agent class that options ageing veterans like Paul Goldschmidt, Carlos Santana, and Justin Turner amongst its finest choices.
Bellinger’s mixture of a high quality lefty bat that needn’t be a part of a platoon and the power to play each middle area and first base make him a compelling commerce goal for a shocking variety of groups. After all, his hefty wage will instantly remove many golf equipment from consideration. The Twins, Guardians, Royals, Rays, Padres, and Rockies all look like lengthy pictures to abdomen an AAV north of $26MM this 12 months. The White Sox and Marlins are within the midst of prolonged rebuilds and appear unlikely to spend that form of cash on a short-term participant like Bellinger, as effectively. It will be a shock to see the Cubs deal Bellinger to a division rival whereas making an attempt to contend for the postseason, which eliminates the Reds, Brewers, Pirates, and Cardinals from consideration.
Moreover, the Rangers are already loaded with expertise each within the outfield and at first base, and the Mariners have signaled they don’t intend so as to add to their outfield this winter. In the meantime, the Pink Sox, Orioles, and Tigers may pursue assist in not less than certainly one of Bellinger’s positions however seem extra more likely to pursue right-handed hitters who can higher steadiness their closely left-handed lineups. The Dodgers and Mets are first rate sufficient floor degree matches, however seem extra more likely to pursue a extra offensively impactful nook bat given their inner choices in middle area. That also leaves ten groups as believable matches for a Bellinger commerce, although. Let’s check out every of them…
Greatest Suits:
- Astros: The Astros at the moment have larger fish to fry as they try to retain franchise third baseman Alex Bregman. With Houston self-admittedly requiring some “creativity” so as to add wage, it appears doubtless {that a} Bregman reunion may depart the membership with out the funds essential to deal for Bellinger. With that stated, although, Bellinger’s capacity to play all three outfield spots and first base ought to make him a lovely possibility for Houston that may permit them to play match-ups with Jon Singleton, Jake Meyers, and Chas McCormick by slotting Bellinger in on the place of whichever participant is on the bench that day. What’s extra, the Cubs’ want for bullpen assist this winter and their hesitance to decide to long-term offers for relievers may make veteran reliever Ryan Pressly a lovely goal for them by way of a return whereas additionally clearing $14MM off the Astros’ books to facilitate different additions.
- Blue Jays: The Blue Jays are within the thick of the Juan Soto sweepstakes, and like the opposite Soto suitors on this record would doubtless solely have curiosity in Bellinger ought to they fail to land the offseason’s high free agent. Within the occasion Soto indicators elsewhere, nonetheless, Toronto could also be among the many most closely fits for Bellinger on the market. The membership has beforehand expressed curiosity in Bellinger throughout each of his latest forays into free company, and if the Jays fail to land Soto he may make loads of sense for the membership as an improve to their present choices in left area who wouldn’t require the form of long-term contract that would complicate the membership’s pursuit of a long-term take care of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Toronto outfielders posted a lackluster wRC+ of simply 87 final 12 months, which means even Bellinger’s diminished 109 determine from this previous season could be a considerable improve to say nothing of the affect he may have ought to his energy manufacturing bounce again in 2025.
- Phillies: The Phillies haven’t been shy about their hopes of restructuring their offense this winter, and rumors have already begun to swirl relating to the provision of key members of their offense starting from Alec Bohm to Nick Castellanos. One clear space the place the Phils may stand to improve is within the outfield, the place the membership at the moment figures to make the most of Castellanos, Johan Rojas, and Brandon Marsh frequently. Philadelphia’s 92 wRC+ within the outfield final 12 months was lackluster, nonetheless, and every of these aforementioned choices posted a wRC+ decrease than that of Bellinger final 12 months. By including Bellinger to the lineup as an on a regular basis participant who splits time between left and middle area, the Phillies would have the ability to successfully platoon Marsh and Rojas whereas nonetheless enjoying each at their respective finest positions, whereas a free agent nook bat resembling Jurickson Profar or Tyler O’Neill would require Marsh to play middle area frequently.
- Yankees: The Yankees determine to focus their efforts this winter on reuniting with Soto, but when the membership misses out him they’ll have holes to fill each within the outfield and at first base. Signing Bellinger may permit the Yankees to maneuver Aaron Choose again to proper area frequently, the place he profiles finest defensively and the place he’ll doubtless endure much less wear-and-tear all through the season. Whereas Soto’s departure is definitely the more than likely avenue to Bellinger in a Yankees uniform, their gap at first base and the chance that Jasson Dominguez isn’t prepared for an on a regular basis job within the majors make the membership not less than a believable match for his companies even when they carry Soto again, with Bellinger enjoying the outfield till Dominguez is able to take over earlier than shifting to first base. Such a state of affairs figures to be a protracted shot, nonetheless, given Dominguez’s stature throughout the group as a long-time high prospect.
Subsequent Tier Down:
- Angels: The Angels have been among the many extra aggressive groups up to now this winter as they appear to contend following a 99-loss season in 2024. They’ve already added Jorge Soler to the lineup as a daily DH and Travis d’Arnaud as depth behind Logan O’Hoppe at catcher, however the membership reportedly stays in including one other bat to their lineup. Bellinger is nearly as good a match for the membership’s roster as any outfielder. The workforce is mild on lefty bats, with solely Nolan Schanuel at first base and the switch-hitting Luis Rengifo at second projected to be within the membership’s beginning lineup subsequent 12 months. Bellinger could be a considerable improve over the Jo Adell/Mickey Moniak platoon the Halos at the moment challenge to make use of in proper area, and will slide seamlessly over to middle area to both give Mike Trout a break from the demanding place or cowl for him within the occasion he suffers one other injury-plagued season in 2025.
- Athletics: Whereas the presence of the A’s on this record would possibly strike some as shocking given how they’ve operated in recent times, there’s not less than some benefit in contemplating Bellinger’s slot in West Sacramento. All indications have pointed in the direction of the A’s being open to a considerable improve to their payroll this winter and an earnest effort to enhance their on-the-field product within the years main as much as their impending transfer to Las Vegas, however their present stadium state of affairs may make courting free brokers tough as a result of membership enjoying in a minor league ballpark in the meanwhile. That’s led GM David Forst to recommend the membership is concentrated on the commerce market relatively than free company as they appear to improve the roster, and Bellinger might be fairly a powerful match amongst commerce candidates. He’s unlikely to be particularly costly by way of commerce capital, which means that swinging a deal for him wouldn’t do a lot injury to the membership’s long-term competitiveness, and the previous MVP may provide a degree of star energy the membership at the moment lacks. In the meantime, he’d be a significant improve on the sphere for a membership that’s counting on Seth Brown and his 91 wRC+ final 12 months in left area headed into 2025.
- Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks determine to have loads of room so as to add a participant like Bellinger to their positional combine after shedding Christian Walker and Joc Pederson to free company this winter. Whereas the membership’s lineup leans left-handed, the lack of Pederson may make them extra open to the addition of one other lefty bat than different heavily-lefty golf equipment just like the Pink Sox and Orioles. The addition of Bellinger may additionally make it simpler for the membership to abdomen the lack of certainly one of their many younger outfielders by way of commerce, notably as he shares a capability to play middle with commerce candidates Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas. Whereas Bellinger’s wage might be an issue for the Diamondbacks in principle, it’s a lot simpler to think about them stomaching his contract in the event that they’re capable of transfer the wage of southpaw Jordan Montgomery this winter, because the membership is seemingly fairly motivated to do after adverse feedback from membership proprietor Ken Kendrick concerning the lefties disastrous 2024 season.
Longer Pictures:
- Braves: It will be one thing of a shock to see the Braves swing a commerce for Bellinger regardless of the opening of their lineup in left area. The membership has been aggressive in making strikes to clear payroll room as they stare down the potential for shedding Max Fried from their rotation, and whereas it’s straightforward to think about them dedicating these sources to a splash at shortstop for a participant like Willy Adames, utilizing that monetary capital to accumulate Bellinger could be a shock given the provision of extra inexpensive depth choices within the outfield resembling Austin Hays and Mike Tauchman who may be a part of Jarred Kelenic within the combine for begins in left area with out breaking the financial institution. With that being stated, the Braves have proven a willingness so as to add important wage on short-term preparations with gamers like Marcell Ozuna and Josh Donaldson up to now, and it’s tough to rely out a GM as unpredictable as Alex Anthopoulos for many commerce eventualities.
- Giants: The Giants have lengthy been looking for star energy for his or her lineup, and whereas Bellinger doesn’t carry the identical degree of affect as he did throughout his MVP days with their arch-rival Dodgers, he would nonetheless add an on a regular basis participant with important title recognition to a comparatively non-descript San Francisco lineup. Apart from that floor degree match, nonetheless, the Giants misplaced Michael Conforto to free company earlier this winter and fellow outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is seen as a commerce candidate. Including Bellinger, then, may provide the membership an alternative choice to Conforto and Yaz within the outfield to pair with Jung Hoo Lee and the membership’s crop of younger outfielders. With that being stated, a match with the Giants seems unlikely given the truth that the membership is at the moment anticipated to reduce its payroll this 12 months, a purpose with which including Bellinger’s hefty wage could be misaligned.
- Nationals: Given the Nationals’ many high quality younger outfielders, they aren’t essentially probably the most simple touchdown spot for Bellinger. With that being stated, nonetheless, the membership has a large gap at first base that Bellinger may slide into fairly simply, offering a lift to a lineup that seems to be on the cusp of rivalry. Bellinger would additionally have the ability to take some strain off of the membership’s crop of younger outfielders, providing an alternative choice to Jacob Younger in middle towards robust right-handers and offering a back-up possibility within the corners ought to both James Wooden or Dylan Crews battle sooner or later of their first wire-to-wire large league campaigns.
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