What's the Holdup with That Cody Bellinger Cubs Deal?

Cody Bellinger, the former National League MVP, has been a free agent since the end of the 2022 season. He's been linked to several teams, including the Chicago Cubs, but a deal has yet to be reached. What's the hold up? Let's take a look at the complexities of the situation.

Bellinger's Market Value

Bellinger is a talented player, but he's coming off a down year in 2022. He hit just .210 with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs. That's a far cry from his 2019 MVP season, when he hit .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs.

So, what's Bellinger's market value? It's hard to say for sure, but it's probably somewhere in the range of $10-15 million per year. That's a significant pay cut from the $17 million he made in 2022, but it's still a lot of money for a player who's coming off a down year.

The Cubs' Situation

The Cubs are in a bit of a rebuilding mode. They traded away several key players last year, including Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Anthony Rizzo. They also have a lot of young players on their roster, so they're not really in a position to sign a big-name free agent like Bellinger.

However, the Cubs do have a need for a left-handed bat in their outfield. They also have a lot of money to spend, so they could afford to sign Bellinger if they really wanted to.

Other Teams in the Mix

The Cubs aren't the only team interested in Bellinger. He's also been linked to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Texas Rangers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays are a young, up-and-coming team that could use a player like Bellinger. The Rangers are a team on the rise that could also use a left-handed bat in their outfield. And the Dodgers are Bellinger's former team, so there's always the possibility that he could return to Los Angeles.

Conclusion

So, what's the holdup with that Cody Bellinger Cubs deal? It's hard to say for sure, but it's likely a combination of factors, including Bellinger's market value, the Cubs' situation, and the interest from other teams.

If the Cubs are serious about signing Bellinger, they'll need to be willing to pay him a lot of money. They'll also need to be patient, as it could take some time for Bellinger to get back to his old form. But if they can land Bellinger, he could be a key piece in their rebuilding process.