The Chicago Cubs can lose out on bringing their slugger back with them for the upcoming season if things go wrong.
Urgent Alert: Cubs Risking It All in High-Stakes Showdown with Bellinger! Will This Move Make or Break Their Season?
Normally, desperate circumstances need desperate actions.
Even though the Chicago Cubs didn’t land many of their top free agent targets this offseason, they aren’t acting desperate.
That may be the best course of action.
They did get a rising star prospect who is poised to contribute in the Major Leagues, a seasoned bullpen component who has accrued significant innings over the last few years, and a starter who should start at the top of their rotation.
The Cubs have yet to add a star player, though.
After they started the offseason aiming to add Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Juan Soto, and Pete Alonso to their lineup, things haven’t exactly gone as planned.
They appear to be debating which free agent, Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman, they would be more interested in signing without adding any of those guys.
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, all the evidence lead to a reunion with Bellinger, but it appears that would only happen if his asking price is lowered.
Though Chicago might not be acting anxious to sign a star after passing on others, other teams might still be interested in signing him given that his agent, Scott Boras, is reportedly still looking for a $200 million contract.
The slugging outfielder has previously been linked to the Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners.
Additionally, none of these teams experienced the anticipated offseason.
Given that the Red Sox are supposedly trying to reduce their payroll and the Mariners don’t appear to want to spend a lot of money on free agents this cycle, the Blue Jays appear to be Bellinger’s most likely rival.
In this contract agreement, the Cubs are essentially having a chicken game with the opposition.
Bellinger’s return would be greatly desired, but only at their preferred cost.
At this point, it appears as though they have a chance to prevail, but all it takes is for one team to buckle under pressure and part with enough cash to give Boras what he wants this offseason.
Chicago is playing a risky game that, if things don’t work out, might ultimately cost them another great player.
