According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Chicago Cubs are trading first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger to the New York Yankees in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet and cash. Bellinger has spent the past two seasons playing with the Cubs. After hitting 26 home runs in 2023, Bellinger took a slight step back last summer, tallying just 18 round-trippers. In addition, he carried a .266/.325/.426 line, which was also a decline from the .307/.356/.525 line he held in 2023. Under the hood, Bellinger generated an underwhelming 32.9% hard-hit rate with a poor .301 xwOBA. However, with the short porch in right field. Fantasy managers should expect Bellinger to see his home run numbers be more in line with 2023 production. Bellinger will likely see most of his starts in center field, which would move Aaron Judge back to right field. Cody Poteet will likely operate as a high-leverage option in the Chicago bullpen as he posted a solid 2.22 ERA and 1.07 WHIP but could see an occasional start as he did make four last summer.
Cubs, Yankees Still Apart On Money In Trade Talks Involving Cody Bellinger
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that there is still a money gap in the trade talks for outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger with the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees. Heyman describes the situation as a matter of "who blinks first," if ever. A trade could still go down between the two clubs this winter, but the Yankees are also considering signing/trading for first baseman Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, Josh Naylor and Nathaniel Lowe, among others. The Cubs are even more willing to trade Bellinger and try to offload his contract after acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker from the Houston Astros last week. The 29-year-old Bellinger, a former MVP in 2019 with the Dodgers, came back to Earth in 2024 in Chicago after hitting over .300 with 26 homers in 2023. The left-handed hitter could be enticing in fantasy in the Bronx, but his poor contact numbers and high strikeout rate are cause for concern.
The New York Post's Jon Heyman writes that the New York Yankees are targeting Chicago Cubs outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger in a trade this offseason after failing to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto. In addition to Bellinger, the Yankees could go after Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker or free agents Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, Christian Walker and Anthony Santander. New York's emphasis for a position player is on third base, first base and outfield. Although the Yankees and Cubs remain far apart on money, they've made a bit of progress during the MLB winter meetings this week. Chicago is asking the Yankees to take on nearly the full $52.5 million Bellinger is due over the next couple years. Bellinger is a former MVP who would bring great defense at first base and would also be an insurance policy in center field in case prospect Jasson Dominguez doesn't work out.
According to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger's trade market is heating up. Levine notes that since the Cubs have a surplus of outfield bats, this could open the door for the Cubs to shop Bellinger at the Winter Meetings. Currently, on their roster, the Cubs have multiple outfielders who are already established at the major league level, such as Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki, and several young outfield prospects, including Pete Crow-Armstrong, Owen Caissie, and Kevin Alcantara. Crow-Armstrong flashed a high upside late last summer as he posted a stellar .314 AVG in August with five doubles, four home runs, and six stolen bases. Bellinger was still very productive last season, holding a solid .266/.325/.426 slash line. However, with their top outfield prospect, Owen Caissie, knocking on the big league door, the Cubs may use this as an opportunity to trade Bellinger to find a player to improve another position on their roster. If Bellinger is moved out of the Northside, Caissie is a name to keep a close eye on during Spring Training as he could be a high-upside pick in late in drafts.
Cubs Focusing On Mid-Market Players, Trying To Unload Cody Bellinger
Despite being a cash cow in one of the largest markets in baseball, the Chicago Cubs are focusing on mid-market players this offseason and are probably out on outfielder Juan Soto and starting pitchers Corbin Burnes, Max Fried and Blake Snell. However, their plans could change if they are able to unload the bloated contract of first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger. They've been offering Bellinger to everyone, but so far, nobody has expressed much interest. Bellinger hit .266 with 18 home runs, 78 RBI and a .751 OPS in 2024 and is owed $27.5 million in 2025, $1.5 million more than Bryce Harper. He's guaranteed a minimum of $32.5 million through 2025 and $52.5 million if he stays through 2026. "Come on," one general manager said, "who's going to touch that contract? The risk is just too great for the production."
Rival executives are saying the Chicago Cubs want to trade first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger this offseason, but it might not be that easy. The 29-year-old has a remaining guarantee of $32.5 million -- $27.5 million in salary with $5 million in a potential buyout -- by choosing not to opt out of his deal. Bellinger could sacrifice his buyout and opt in for another $27.5 million in 2026. He was 11 percent above league average in OPS but wasn't as impactful in 2024 as he was in 2023. If the New York Yankees don't re-sign outfielder Juan Soto, Bellinger could be one of their options. However, the $32.5 million that Bellinger is guaranteed would mitigate the return. In order to trade the lefty slugger, Chicago might need to take back an inflated contract or accept marginal prospects in any deal. Bellinger hit .266 with 18 homers, 78 RBI and nine steals in 130 games for the Cubs in 2024.
Cody Bellinger Picks Up $27.5 Million Player Option With Cubs
Chicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (finger) is starting in right field and is batting cleanup for the Cubbies on Friday at Wrigley Field against the Toronto Blue Jays and rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez. Bellinger had been limited to designated-hitter duties for the Cubs since returning from a fractured middle finger on his left hand, but he's feeling good enough now to play defense. Since coming off the injured list on July 30, Bellinger has been swinging a hot bat, batting .320 (16-for-50) with three home runs, a double, nine RBI, a stolen base and nine runs scored in 13 games played. Bellinger returning to the outfield doesn't change much for fantasy managers; he should remain in starting lineups against Rodriguez, a pitcher he has yet to face in his career.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The lefty slugger was held out of Wednesday's contest due to a minor hamstring issue. It seems that two days of rest has helped as Bellinger will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup versus lefty Garrett Crochet. Fantasy managers who have Bellinger rostered can get him back in their lineups on Friday.
Updating a previous report, Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring, knee) is dealing with a sore hamstring after stepping on first base awkwardly on Tuesday night and hyperextending his knee. Manager Craig Counsell said the Cubs will see how Bellinger feels as the day progresses, but they wanted to give him a day off on Wednesday because of it. With the Cubs also having an off day on Thursday, there's a chance Bellinger will be feeling good enough to start Friday's series opener against the hosting Chicago White Sox. The 29-year-old left-handed slugger has served as the designated hitter in all eight of his games since he returned from a fractured finger on July 30 and hasn't missed a beat at the plate, going 10-for-32 (.313) with two homers, a double and six RBI. Rookie Pete Crow-Armstrong is making another start in center field on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins.
Cody Bellinger
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