The Yankees' aggressive pursuit and Bellinger's steep asking price make him a long shot, potentially pushing the Cubs toward other top free agent bats.
The Chicago Cubs remain interested in several of the top remaining bats on the free agent market. Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Cody Bellinger are all names that have been linked to the Cubs in recent weeks.
With Chicago needing another impact bat in its lineup, the front office has identified three potential targets to fulfill that need. Getting Bregman, Bichette, or Bellinger this offseason would make this a complete offseason for the Cubs.
Of those three free agents, Bellinger feels like the one who is more of a long shot for the Cubs to sign. The biggest reason has to do with the New York Yankees’ strong pursuit of the slugging outfielder.
The Yankees have already offered Bellinger two different deals, one of which included an offer that could keep the Cubs out of the running for the two-time All-Star.
According to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the Yankees’ most recent offer to Bellinger was for more than $30 million per year. While the number of years in that deal wasn’t announced, it likely wasn’t for the seven years that Bellinger wants in free agency.
The crazy part is that the Yankees appear to be off on both the money and the years on this new contract with Bellinger.
“I’m told by a person familiar with the situation that Bellinger is also seeking $36-$37 million per year. The Yankees think that’s crazy, too, although there’s room for negotiation in that regard,” Bob Klapisch wrote in a piece at NJ.com.
With Bellinger's high asking price, it’s hard to imagine the Cubs really making a move for him this offseason. He not only wants $36 to $37 million annually -- which would put Chicago over the first luxury tax threshold -- but he wants seven years on top of that high AAV.
Therefore, it’s safe to say that Bellinger will probably not come back to the Windy City unless his asking price comes significantly down. Even then, the Yankees would almost certainly come in and swoop him up.
New York already has an offer for upward of $30 million annually on the table for Bellinger, a price that might be too high for the Cubs.
Considering Bellinger is the Yankees’ No. 1 target this offseason, there’s an unlikely chance that the Cubs will outbid New York for the left-handed slugger. That’s just not something the front office is going to do.
So, Chicago’s best chance at landing a big-time bat this offseason will likely be either Bregman or Bichette.