### Cubs Eyeing Cody Bellinger Trade Despite Financial Hurdles

The Chicago Cubs find themselves in a complex situation regarding Cody Bellinger. By opting into his contract for the 2025 season, Bellinger secured at least a $27.5 million salary with the option to opt out at the end of the year and receive a $5 million buyout. If he chooses to stay for another season, his 2026 contract will be worth $25 million. Effectively, Bellinger will cost the Cubs either $32.5 million for one year or $52.5 million over two years. Given these financials, reports suggest the Cubs are actively looking to trade Bellinger this offseason.

Rumors about Bellinger being on the trading block were highlighted by The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Sahadev Sharma. According to Rosenthal, rival executives claim the Cubs are seeking to trade the first baseman/outfielder, while Sharma directly mentions that both Bellinger and Nico Hoerner are potential trade candidates. The core argument for trading Bellinger is to potentially upgrade other areas of the team, though the nature of this upgrade remains unclear given the hefty price tag of $32.5 million.

Trading Bellinger won't be straightforward due to his significant salary. Rosenthal suggests the Cubs might have to accept an inflated contract in return or settle for marginal prospects. While such strategies would follow logical reasoning, they raise concerns about how the Cubs could actually improve through these trades. Acquiring an inflated contract means savings wouldn't be significant, and there’s no guarantee that the player coming in will provide the same value. On the other hand, trading Bellinger for marginal prospects could result in cost savings but would likely weaken the team in the short term, considering the side benefits he offers in terms of defense and roster flexibility.

Additionally, the current free-agent market lacks alternatives as valuable as Bellinger, particularly with his defensive skills and versatility. Even Sharma reminds readers of the scarcity of appealing outfield options, underscoring Bellinger’s comparative advantage. The Yankees are cited as a team particularly interested in Bellinger if they miss out on Juan Soto, given their need for a left-handed bat capable of playing both center field and first base.

There's an imaginative scenario where the Cubs trade Bellinger to open a roster spot for a significant addition. However, this plan seems far-fetched, especially since the Cubs have reportedly opted out of pursuing top-tier starting pitchers this offseason. For a different team, trading Bellinger might make sense, but for the Cubs, it risks losing a good player without a clear path to tangible gain.