MLB Rumors: Cubs 'Determined' to Trade Cody Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki amid 2024 FA
December 6, 2024
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly considering placing two star outfielders on the trade market this winter.
The Cubs are "determined to trade either" Cody Bellinger or Seiya Suzuki this offseason, a source told the New York Post's Joel Sherman.
Bellinger has reportedly picked up his $27.5 million player option for 2025 and has another $25 million option for 2026.
The New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros have expressed interest in trading for Bellinger, Bruce Levine previously reported for Audacy's 670 The Score.
Suzuki would meanwhile have to agree to a deal before the Cubs could move him. He has a no-trade clause and two years remaining on his contract.
A potential trade for Bellinger is also complicated by his contract, which includes a $5 million buyout should he opt out before the 2026 season, per Spotrac.
Any club trading for him would risk paying $32.5 million for one season of a player who is heading into his age-30 season coming off a down year.
After recording 4.4 wins above replacement thanks to his .307 batting average and 26 home runs in 2023, Bellinger's numbers dropped to 2.2 WAR, .266 BA and 18 homers as he dealt with injuries including fractured ribs and a fractured finger.
ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that other MLB teams believe that the Cubs "will have to be prepared to eat significant salary" to move Bellinger in a trade.
Levine meanwhile reported that the Cubs "don't seem willing to eat money in a trade of Bellinger, nor do they intend to just give him away."
Suzuki could be the more attractive trade option because of his lower salary. He is owed $38 million over the next two seasons and ended the 2024 season with a career-high 3.5 WAR and .848 OPS.
The market for Bellinger and Suzuki could be determined in parts by the results of the bidding war for Juan Soto. Like the New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees have reportedly made offers to Soto. Should Soto sign elsewhere, the Yankees' reported interest in Bellinger could increase.
