Cubs Trade Rumors: Cody Bellinger Could Interest Rangers If Available at Deadline

In the midst of a terrific rebound season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger figures to be one of the most sought-after players for playoff contenders before the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

Per The Athletic's Jim Bowden, the Texas Rangers are a team that "could be interested" in the 2019 National League MVP if the Cubs opt to sell at the deadline.

The Cubs' status leading up to the deadline seems to change frequently, in part because no one has taken control of the NL Central at this point.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post and MLB Network reported last week other teams believe Chicago will sell at the trade deadline.

The Cubs have won five of their last six games, including three straight over the St. Louis Cardinals this weekend, to move within three games of .500 (48-51) for the first time since June 27.

They have a run differential of plus-41, fourth-best in the NL behind the Atlanta Braves (+148), Los Angeles Dodgers (+106) and San Diego Padres (+52).

Chicago is currently 5.5 games out of a wild card spot and 6.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central race.

The schedule does set up for the Cubs to continue this hot streak before the trade deadline with a six-game road trip against the Chicago White Sox and Cardinals starting Tuesday before a four-game set against the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley starting July 31.

If the Cubs do end up selling, Bellinger and Marcus Stroman are the two most-likely candidates to be moved.

Stroman is the final guaranteed season of his deal, but he has a $21 million player option for 2024. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney reported on July 1 the Cubs are "not inclined" to sign the All-Star right-hander to an extension because they want to keep their options open.

Bellinger signed a one-year prove it deal worth $17.5 million with the Cubs during the offseason after three injury-plagued seasons with the Dodgers. He's been terrific with a .319/.369/.549 slash line, 14 homers, 44 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 68 games.

The Rangers are looking to keep their lead in the American League West with the Houston Astros starting to surge. Texas has a three-game lead in the division with a 59-41 record thanks to an offense that has scored an MLB-high 580 runs.

Adding Bellinger to the mix would make an already-dangerous lineup even more imposing as the Rangers attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.