Yankees, Astros, Mariners Have All Checked on Cody Bellinger

It’s gotten to the point where a Cody Bellinger trade seems more likely than not. I’ve been of that opinion for a while now and I believe the Cubs had long been planning for the eventuality that he’d opt in, even though they preferred for him to test the open market. The front office won’t have a problem finding takers on a deal for the former MVP with one year and $32.5 million guaranteed on his current deal, it’s just a matter of what they want to get back in return.

If it’s a straight salary dump, which I don’t believe is the case, the Cubs can simply accept a very slight return. The more likely outcome is that the front office opts to eat a little money in exchange for a prospect with a…