The Cubs re-engage with Cody Bellinger, seeking to reunite with their former star slugger. Can they outbid the Yankees for his powerful bat?
Since losing out on Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai, the Chicago Cubs have checked in on more big-name players in free agency.
They remain interested in All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman and have supposedly checked in on shortstop Bo Bichette. Getting one of those two hitters would be a massive get for the front office this winter.
Those two hitters, though, aren’t the only ones that the Cubs have checked in on recently. The front office is reportedly interested in outfielder Cody Bellinger.
“Cubs checked in on old friend Cody Bellinger,” Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote. “They’re also known to be in touch with Bregman, Bichette and other top players. The incumbent Yankees remain in talks with Bellinger, their stated No. 1 priority.”
The Cubs obviously know Bellinger very well after he spent two seasons in the Windy City. In both years, the left-handed slugger provided solid all-around numbers for the club.
In 2023, Bellinger hit .307 with 26 home runs, 29 doubles, 97 RBI, and 20 stolen bases across 130 games. While his numbers dropped with the Cubs in 2024, he still batted .266 with 18 home runs, 23 doubles, and 78 RBI in 130 games.
The North Siders could definitely use those types of numbers in their lineup for 2026. He would be a solid replacement for Kyle Tucker, and Bellinger has shown in each of the last three years that he can carry an offense. The former MVP hit 29 home runs and drove in 98 runs with the Yankees last year.
However, it’s hard to see a world where the Cubs outbid the Yankees for Bellinger this offseason.
Bellinger is known to be New York’s top target this offseason, and the Yankees have already made a second offer to the 30-year-old (according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post). So, the Cubs need to move quickly on a potential deal for him.
There’s also a strong chance that Chicago doesn’t even meet Bellinger’s contract demands. Spotrac lists his market value at six years, $182 million, and The Athletic believes he will sign a seven-year, $182 million deal this offseason.
Although the Cubs need another bat to replace Tucker, they likely won’t give that much money to Bellinger.
The two-time All-Star might not even want to come back to Chicago after the front office just traded him away for nothing one offseason prior. The Cubs dealt Bellinger away for Cody Poteet -- who was designated for assignment one month into the season -- in a salary dump move.
With the Yankees seemingly all in on re-signing Bellinger, it’s probably more of a long shot that the Cubs will acquire him this winter.