Breaking: Cubs’ Secret Weapon Unveiled! Shocking Report Exposes Jaw-Dropping Cody Bellinger Backup Plan – You Won’t Believe Who’s in the Game! 🚀🔥
Cody Bellinger, an outfielder, is the top position player available for free agency. Since signing a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 9, Shohei Ohtani has operated in this manner. For a long time, Bellinger’s most likely landing place has been thought to be the Chicago Cubs.
However, what would happen if the left-handed slugger showed signs of something else? On January 23, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic talked about the sluggish veteran designated hitter free-agent market. He went over the present state of affairs for ten teams, including the Cubs. Rosenthal restated the many statements made on Bellinger and Chicago: reaching a consensus between the two parties is the “obvious” next move. particularly considering that the team is looking for left-handed hitters.
In the event that the much-awaited reunion fails to materialize, they may choose to focus on another elite free agent. “The Cubs could turn to the right-handed [Matt] Chapman and perhaps seek another left-handed bat in some other way if Bellinger signs elsewhere,” Rosenthal stated.
An Examination of the Chapman’s Market and Possible Asking Price
Chapman has also been connected to the Cubs in rumors before. Jim Bowden of MLB Network stated on Foul Territory back on January 8 that Chapman was one of the free agents to whom the Cubs had made a “significant offer.”
“They’ve made significant offers to Jordan Montgomery, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, and Rhys Hoskins.”
– Jim Bowden on Cubs free agency to this point
via @FoulTerritoryTV pic.twitter.com/YVVkum9FQZ
— CHGO Cubs (@CHGO_Cubs) January 8, 2024
According to TSN’s Scott Mitchell, the Toronto Blue Jays made Chapman an offer for a contract worth about $100 million, which would have lasted four or five years, before he became a free agency in November. He was clearly turned down when he went on the open market. The four-time Gold Glove Award winner was expected to sign a six-year, $150 million contract on November 6 according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Few teams have been reported to be closely associated with Chapman. The San Francisco Giants and Blue Jays are two other teams that could be acquired in addition to the Cubs. The Giants have long been thought to be the most suitable team for the 30-year-old out of this group.
What Would Christopher Morel Gain by Signing Chapman?
Rosenthal particularly mentions Michael Busch, who the Cubs acquired lately, in his article from January 23 regarding the team’s efforts to increase the number of left-handed hitters on the roster. As of right now, FanGraphs’ Roster Resource has him scheduled to start at first base.
What would happen to Christopher Morel if the Cubs choose to go with Chapman instead of Bellinger and somehow manage not to re-sign him? This winter, Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, put an end to any trade rumors regarding the right-handed slugger. His starting defensive position for 2024 is still unclear, though.
As things currently stand, he could receive consistent playing time at third base. That opportunity would evaporate if Chicago signed Chapman. He’s a Gold Glove defender who has played in at least 140 games per season five times since 2018. Rosenthal noted that if this scenario were to come true, it could mean Morel could get the majority of his playing time at DH. He suited up for 61 of his 107 games played in that position during the 2023 season.
It is probably the Cubs’ preference to have Bellinger return to the Windy City. If it doesn’t work out, though, it appears they still intend to add a lot of players to the roster before Opening Day.
