Cody Bellinger has emerged as one of the offseason’s most notable, yet challenging, trade targets. Teams such as the Yankees, Astros, and Mariners have recently shown interest, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. However, Levine notes that the Cubs are not looking to simply offload Bellinger’s salary and are unwilling to cover much, if any, of the contract, which could be a significant obstacle.
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that other teams believe the Cubs may need to cover a portion of Bellinger’s $52.5M remaining salary over two years, or potentially take on another contract, if they expect a solid return. The Cubs are aiming to upgrade various areas of their roster, but their plans are complicated by no-trade clauses for key players like Dansby Swanson, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki. Young talents like Michael Busch at first base and Pete Crow-Armstrong in center field are already filling positions, while newcomers like Isaac Paredes at third base are still settling in. Second baseman Nico Hoerner, who underwent flexor surgery, could be a potential trade chip to clear cap space, though his situation adds complexity.
Bellinger, who declined to opt out of his contract this offseason, had a solid 2024 season, hitting .266 with 18 home runs and a modest strikeout rate of 15.6%. However, his numbers weren’t as strong as his 2023 campaign, and his defensive performance at both outfield and first base also dipped. The Yankees, who are preparing for the possibility of missing out on Juan Soto, have expressed interest in top free agents like Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, and Willy Adames. They see Bellinger as a potential left-handed bat to complement their strikeout-prone right-handed hitters, particularly at first base, while also providing outfield depth.
The Astros have a clear need at first base after a disappointing stint from José Abreu. They gave most of the playing time there to Jon Singleton, who struggled offensively and defensively. Bellinger could help solidify the position in Houston.
Seattle also sees first base as a key area of need. Although they have Tyler Locklear as a promising in-house option, the Mariners have been connected to veterans like Carlos Santana and Justin Turner, looking for a more experienced bat to fill the role. Bellinger’s ability to make contact would also address the Mariners’ long-standing strikeout issues.
The main challenge surrounding Bellinger’s trade is his contract. With $52.5M owed over the next two seasons, including a $27.5M salary for 2025 and a $5M buyout for a $25M player option in 2026, acquiring him would add significant payroll to any team’s books. For a player who had a solid but not spectacular 2024, this high price may deter some teams. For the Yankees, adding Bellinger would push them into a higher luxury tax bracket, potentially costing them up to $56M when accounting for taxes and the buyout.
Similarly, the Astros are close to exceeding the luxury tax threshold, and adding Bellinger would likely require them to pay the tax again. A potential swap of Bellinger for Ryan Pressly could make sense for both teams, but Pressly’s 10-and-5 rights would allow him to veto such a deal.
The Mariners, while not concerned with luxury tax, face financial constraints. They’re already projected to have a similar payroll to last season’s $145M and would need to move other assets, like Mitch Haniger or Mitch Garver, to make room for Bellinger. It seems the Mariners are conducting due diligence, possibly hoping the Cubs will help offset part of Bellinger’s salary in a trade.