Rosenthal: Cubs Want To Trade Cody Bellinger

2 minutes ago, We Got The Whole 9 said:

Is it worth discussing strapping a prospect to him?

I don't think so.  I think taking back another contract that is inflated (but to be very clear, the player is still productive) should be in bounds, but there's no reason to act desperately.  Bellinger's a good player and he's not a terrible fit on the roster.  I'd prefer if he were RHH and I'd prefer if we could count on him for more dongs, but holistically he's not really any better or worse than FA alternatives like Teoscar Hernandez or Anthony Santander.

For instance, someone brought up Schwarber for Bellinger.  That feels like the type of thing that feels more appropriate.  Like I'd say no to that specific move, but it feels imminently reasonable.

The Rays definitely aren't taking Bellinger with their stadium/financial situation.

I do wonder if the Royals might be an option, they have the need, some ambition to add offense, and there's varying levels of fit in terms of return.  Might be easier for them to take on Bellinger on a 1+1 than convincing a free agent with lesser upside to take their money(and on a riskier longer term deal).  Risky given their TV situation though.

22 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

The Rays definitely aren't taking Bellinger with their stadium/financial situation.

I do wonder if the Royals might be an option, they have the need, some ambition to add offense, and there's varying levels of fit in terms of return.  Might be easier for them to take on Bellinger on a 1+1 than convincing a free agent with lesser upside to take their money(and on a riskier longer term deal).  Risky given their TV situation though.

Royals are said to be interested in Bohm. So goes back to another 3 team deal. Bohm to KC, Singer to Cubs and Bellinger to Phillies. Again, not perfect. Maybe some additions need to be made. But Cubs do get a MOR pitcher. 

2 hours ago, Cuzi said:

Bellinger aint getting you Castillo.

Fine, then the Cubs keep him. He is certainly not going to be traded for Stroman. IMO the Cubs don’t have to trade Bellinger. I’d be isn’t bringing value back I am fine keeping him. 

54 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Royals are said to be interested in Bohm. So goes back to another 3 team deal. Bohm to KC, Singer to Cubs and Bellinger to Phillies. Again, not perfect. Maybe some additions need to be made. But Cubs do get a MOR pitcher. 

that's pretty intriguing

As has been said, Bellinger is still quite valuable to us next season and isn't THAT overpaid for what he brings to the table. My fear is they trade him for financial flexibility but then don't really add to the roster in a meaningful way. An injury means Tauchman is starting in the outfield or Mervis is starting at 1B. I am pretty against trading Belli but if you can pull off something like:

Bellinger for Kris Bubic and Brady Singer, then sign Max Fried and add someone like Joc Pederson and a decent backup catcher, then we're cooking. But I don't think that's likely.

1 hour ago, Rex Buckingham said:

that's pretty intriguing

Thank you.

A few more teams that might make sense

Red Sox - Have a lot of youth in both the OF and at 1B, some of it has performed and some hasn't.  Bellinger could cover basically whoever is looking most like a bust at the moment (currently would be Rafaela, but might not be long term).  They also struck out a ton last year and could use a reprieve

Mariners - Also struck out way too much last year.  Also have some questions in their outfield (Arozarena should probably be a DH, and do you *really* trust Victor Robles?)

Nats - Sounds like they are considering doing something splashy akin to when they signed Jayson Werth ahead of the Harper/Strasburg/Rendon wave of prospects hit.  Bellinger could be that veteran presence without the long term commitment, or one of two moves to really hammer home legitimacy.  They project terribly in CF currently 

If the Mariners show genuine interest they're by far my favorite destination just because of the potential matchups that would be mutually beneficial.  Castillo and Bellinger despite what was said upthread are in pretty similar situations value wise, and as far as 'bad contracts' go, I've been intrigued by getting Mitch Garver as a lefty masher off the bench(bonus for getting him in an odd numbered year!).

51 minutes ago, Transmogrified Tiger said:

If the Mariners show genuine interest they're by far my favorite destination just because of the potential matchups that would be mutually beneficial.  Castillo and Bellinger despite what was said upthread are in pretty similar situations value wise, and as far as 'bad contracts' go, I've been intrigued by getting Mitch Garver as a lefty masher off the bench(bonus for getting him in an odd numbered year!).

I agree on Mariners and Cubs matching well. Didn’t feel like arguing with the poster. I mean, it’s not like Seattle to make big unexpected moves with their current GM, right? Personally I am with you. I think it is pretty fair. And as I said, if you add the Phillies in something like this Seattle can get Bohm while Phillies get Bellinger and Cubs get Castillo. Maybe a few more pieces or money has to be moved. But either Cubs/Seattle 2 team deal or one adding the Phillies is definitely something that can make sense. 

58 minutes ago, Bertz said:

A few more teams that might make sense

Red Sox - Have a lot of youth in both the OF and at 1B, some of it has performed and some hasn't.  Bellinger could cover basically whoever is looking most like a bust at the moment (currently would be Rafaela, but might not be long term).  They also struck out a ton last year and could use a reprieve

Mariners - Also struck out way too much last year.  Also have some questions in their outfield (Arozarena should probably be a DH, and do you *really* trust Victor Robles?)

Nats - Sounds like they are considering doing something splashy akin to when they signed Jayson Werth ahead of the Harper/Strasburg/Rendon wave of prospects hit.  Bellinger could be that veteran presence without the long term commitment, or one of two moves to really hammer home legitimacy.  They project terribly in CF currently 

I agree those teams may be interested. But who comes back from the Red Sox or the Nationals. I like Seattle because they have something of interest that could come back. 

16 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

I agree those teams may be interested. But who comes back from the Red Sox or the Nationals. I like Seattle because they have something of interest that could come back. 

I think Bellinger is close enough to value neutral that the return might not be another big contract it might just be some modest prospects or roster filler.

Whether you need something of substance back from him or not depends on the timing of a deal.  If you get something done tomorrow you'd probably just want to move him and pocket the cash.  If a trade doesn't come together until February you probably want someone back because there might not even be $25M worth of free agents left who fit on the roster.

1 hour ago, Bertz said:

I think Bellinger is close enough to value neutral that the return might not be another big contract it might just be some modest prospects or roster filler.

Whether you need something of substance back from him or not depends on the timing of a deal.  If you get something done tomorrow you'd probably just want to move him and pocket the cash.  If a trade doesn't come together until February you probably want someone back because there might not even be $25M worth of free agents left who fit on the roster.

Pocket the cash is my concern. I assume you mean to spend elsewhere. My fear is pocket the cash means exactly that. They cubs come in $20M to $30M short of the LT. 

26 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Pocket the cash is my concern. I assume you mean to spend elsewhere. My fear is pocket the cash means exactly that. They cubs come in $20M to $30M short of the LT. 

Unless you think Bird Flu is going to force us to shelter in place again there's zero reason to consider this a possibility.

3 hours ago, Bertz said:

Unless you think Bird Flu is going to force us to shelter in place again there's zero reason to consider this a possibility.

If you say so. Not sure who they spend it on. No real upgrade except the guy they won’t talk to. Do they sign Kikuchi and Flaherry or maybe Scott and a starter? 

11 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

If you say so. Not sure who they spend it on. No real upgrade except the guy they won’t talk to. Do they sign Kikuchi and Flaherry or maybe Scott and a starter? 

Well in that scenario they go back to being one bat short in addition to the pitching needs. I believe what's being discussed around here is essentially salary dumping Bellinger and then replacing him with a free agent bat (or a Vlad, Tucker, etc) that fits their offensive needs a little better (namely, more dongs). Which puts you right back where you started on the roughly $50m for catcher/pitching/bench upgrades.

16 hours ago, Rcal10 said:

Pocket the cash is my concern. I assume you mean to spend elsewhere. My fear is pocket the cash means exactly that. They cubs come in $20M to $30M short of the LT. 

If that happens I'm not watching next year.  Doubtful they reduce payroll

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

If that happens I'm not watching next year.  Doubtful they reduce payroll

I said it was greatest fear. I did not say that is what I would expect them to do. I would expect more like what squally suggested. Depending on when they did trade Bellinger that might be the only way they can spend his money they save. The other FA bats to replace him might be gone. And, TBH, aside from Soto, none of the other FA is a certainty to be better than Bellinger, all around, next season. That is why I like squally’s idea of them trading for the big bat. 

I saw a rumor of Bellinger to the Yankees for Stroman + Selvidge + Vrieling.  We save about $9 million and get 2 pitching prospects.

12 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

I saw a rumor of Bellinger to the Yankees for Stroman + Selvidge + Vrieling.  We save about $9 million and get 2 pitching prospects.

Is this a legit rumor or someone on reddit/twitter throwing horsefeathers at a wall?

I like Stro and I like Selvidge but I don't think that does it for me.

12 hours ago, Post Count Padder said:

Is this a legit rumor or someone on reddit/twitter throwing horsefeathers at a wall?

I like Stro and I like Selvidge but I don't think that does it for me.

https://fansided.com/this-yankees-cubs-trade-would-give-new-york-an-all-star-juan-soto-backup-plan

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/cubs-trade-proposal-ships-2-time-all-star-to-yankees-to-replace-anthony-rizzo/ar-AA1uA8dE?ocid=BingNewsSerp

7 minutes ago, Backtobanks said:

 

 

https://fansided.com/this-yankees-cubs-trade-would-give-new-york-an-all-star-juan-soto-backup-plan

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/cubs-trade-proposal-ships-2-time-all-star-to-yankees-to-replace-anthony-rizzo/ar-AA1uA8dE?ocid=BingNewsSerp

A true rumor or not, I don’t see the Cubs doing that. Maybe Bellinger for Schmidt with the Cubs eating half of Bellinger’s money. If the Yannees want him they can’t have him for a guy they are basically trying to dump. I do not think the Cubs NEED to trade Bellinger. I feel they would and maybe even should, if they get something of use back. Otherwise just keep him. 

Yankees can't have him for someone they are basically trying to dump, but we are basically trying to dump Bellinger and we somehow get their #3 pitcher in year 1 arbitration?

The whole idea behind trading Bellinger is getting out from under his $32.5 guarantee for next year. We aren't trading him because we have someone ready to take his spot and match his production.

Feels like we can mostly, though not totally, write this possibility off after the Tauchman news.