But as I noted in a differnt thread, Bellinger is likely tied to Soto in a way that he's a consultation prize. The longer Soto drags this out, and he's a Boras dude, so like January, the less valuable the money will be. If the Cubs discount him, then they are not accomplishing the reason for trading him. If they're not discounting him and not taking back a bad contract (which again negates the reasons), they aren't getting much for him but salary relief. The urgency part makes their hand weaker still.