Yankees, Rangers Reportedly Scouting Cody Bellinger (And Possibly Other Cubs)

[Brock Beauchamp]

In a cooperative report published by The Athletic recently, the Yankees and Rangers have a "noticeable presence" around the Cubs, scouting the team in case the northsiders continue to slip down the standings.

While Texas and New York could be (and likely are) scouting multiple Cubs players, the focus appears to be on Cody Bellinger. After a bounceback season in 2023, the CF/1B is having a decent, if unspectacular, 2024 with a 113 OPS+ and 1.1 rWAR.

The complicated aspect of any Bellinger trade is his contract: he has a player option for 2025 and 2026 for $27.5 million and $25 million, respectively. It's hard to gauge how teams will value his worth in trade because they have no ability to control the situation: if Bellinger thrives, he likely opts out. If he struggles, the team remains on the hook for at least one more season at a relatively high cost.

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[WhyCantWeWin]

His option years will prevent the cubs from getting anything of value in return. Might be able to get something if they pay his salary for the year and his opt out money next year. 

[KCCub]

The question becomes how valuable is it to the Cubs to move him and have the guranteed financial freedom it would create over the next two seasons? I hate that we're at this point, but he's on a 2.6 fWAR pace per 162 games this season (2.3ish at his true pace of around 145 games). Not horrible, but not the type of value you want to be paying $26.6m AAV for. 

Which scenario would you guys prefer if the Cubs are sellers/non-buyers?

- Move him for a package that's most likely going to be underwhelming, but it guarantee's the Cubs have $26mish extra next offseason to plug other holes

- Hold onto him because he is a useful/versatile player and hope if he opts in, that he can have a season closer to the 2023 season. 

[Javy Is Still A Cub]

I figured the Yankees would be interested - they got the bucks. 

[NorthsideAvenger]

If the Cubs are about to switch from competitive to development, then trading Belli should be top priority. 

[Tryptamine]

I don't really have all that much interest in what the Yankees have to offer. The guys that are in the value range for Bellinger are guys who are all super far away. Everyone in the 7-11 range is A ball or rookie ball except for Jorbit Vivas who has negative pop. Above that is guys 50+ and there's no way Bellinger is bringing those guys in. Agustin Ramirez is kind of interesting I suppose.