Cubs star Cody Bellinger will be one of the most sought-after players at the trade deadline. Here's the latest team rumored to be in the mix.
If the Chicago Cubs decide to sell in August, one of the first pieces to go could be star slugger Cody Bellinger. Bellinger signed a one-year contract with Chicago last offseason as a cheap prove-it deal, and so far, he's been outpacing that timeline.
He poses as an enticing trade chip as early as this summer with a handful of teams in need of offensive help possibly going after the former NL MVP.
According to the MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Miami Marlins are the most recent club to join the Bellinger sweepstakes — assuming the Cubs are open for business.
Given that Miami's offense ranks at the bottom of the league in slugging percentage and homers, it makes logical sense as to why they want a bat like Bellinger. The Marlins still face a somewhat treacherous path to the playoffs despite riding a winning percentage above .500 for the majority of the 2023 season. Getting Cody Bellinger could be the oomph of production the team needs to comfortable secure at least a wild card spot and maybe even catch up to the red-hot Braves.
Marlins rumored to be interested in Cubs star Cody Bellinger
Having struggled with injuries during his Dodgers recession, Bellinger has been compiling a surprising 2023 season with 14 homers and 45 RBIs, slashing .314/.363/.540.
In the last few months, Bellinger has also attracted rumored interest from other teams like the Yankees, Rangers, and Mariners.
The 28-year-old has a $12 million mutual option for the 2024 season that he will likely decline. Bellinger along with Marcus Stroman are primed to be the Cubs' most valuable trade chips in 2023, but any potential trade depends on what position the Cubs will take in the coming days. Some would argue that Chicago has played better than their record shows, and the Cubs are truthfully only five games out of a wild card spot.
Should Bellinger don another jersey this season, his new team will hope he can continue his rebound and slug his way to even greater playoff success.