The Chicago Cubs have dealt Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees in a blockbuster trade.
The Chicago Cubs entered the Winter Meetings with the goal of reshaping their roster into a playoff-caliber team for the 2025 season. Although the Cubs showed promise in 2024, they ultimately fell short of reaching the postseason. As they look to make improvements, a few key areas have stood out as priorities for the offseason.
One of the team’s main focuses is addressing the bullpen, which struggled to close out games last season. The Cubs have already taken a step in the right direction by acquiring reliever Eli Morgan early in the offseason. However, they also need to bolster their lineup with an impactful bat to strengthen the middle of their order. This task has become more complicated due to an unexpected development involving one of their star players.
Cody Bellinger surprised many when he exercised his player option for the 2025 season, committing to a $27.5 million salary instead of testing free agency. While retaining a player of Bellinger’s caliber could be seen as a positive, his hefty contract significantly limits the Cubs’ flexibility in free agency. As a result, the team is now considering trading either Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki to create financial room and address other roster needs.
Among potential trade destinations, the New York Yankees have emerged as a logical fit for Bellinger. Reports from Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer highlight why a deal between the Cubs and Yankees makes sense. Joel Sherman of the New York Post revealed that the Cubs are “determined” to move one of their outfielders, and Bruce Levine of 670 The Score confirmed that the Yankees are among the teams expressing interest in Bellinger.
The Yankees, reeling from the loss of Juan Soto to the New York Mets in free agency, are in desperate need of reinforcements. Soto’s departure to their crosstown rivals leaves a significant void in their lineup, and acquiring Bellinger would be a logical Plan B for the Bronx Bombers. As a left-handed slugger, Bellinger’s swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch, making him an ideal fit for their offensive strategy.
Financially, the Yankees are well-positioned to absorb Bellinger’s contract. With an opening in the outfield and the ability to handle his salary for both 2025 and potentially 2026, New York represents an appealing trade partner for the Cubs. Adding Bellinger would provide the Yankees with a powerful bat to offset the loss of Soto while addressing their lineup’s needs.
For the Cubs, trading Bellinger could provide the financial relief needed to pursue additional upgrades in other areas, such as pitching or depth. For the Yankees, landing a proven slugger like Bellinger would be a significant step in retooling their roster and remaining competitive in a wide-open American League. As the offseason progresses, a deal involving Bellinger could help both teams move closer to their respective goals, providing the Cubs with flexibility and the Yankees with a much-needed spark in their lineup.
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