Cody Bellinger Trade Rumors: Yankees, Astros, Mariners Have Checked in on Cubs Star

The New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners have reportedly "checked in" with the Chicago Cubs regarding a potential trade for outfielder Cody Bellinger, according to Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, with that market expected to heat up once Juan Soto picks his team in free agency.

Per that report, "The Cubs don't seem willing to eat money in a trade of Bellinger, nor do they intend to just give him away."

Bellinger, 29, did not replicate his fantastic 2023 season (.307 batting average, 29 homers, 97 RBI, 20 steals, .881 OPS) last season, hitting .266 with 23 home runs, 78 RBI, 72 runs, nine stolen bases and a .751 OP in 130 games.

And once he declined his player opt-out following the season, the Cubs were left on the hook for $27.5 million this season and potentially Bellinger's $25 million player option in 2026. Those figures wouldn't have looked quite so restrictive if Bellinger had been as productive as a season ago, especially for a Cubs team with plenty of options in the outfield.

Pete Crow-Armstrong is the future in center, while left-fielder Ian Happ has a full no-trade clause in his contract. Ditto for right-fielder Seiya Suzuki, making that pair trickier to move. And as Levine noted, the team has outfield prospects in Owen Caissie, Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Canario who will eventually need consistent MLB at-bats.

So Bellinger is the logical option to move, and could end up being a decent consolation prize for teams that miss out on the Soto sweepstakes or don't land free agent Anthony Santander.

The Yankees would obviously prefer to keep Soto, but replacing him will be a priority if he departs. The Astros, meanwhile, may be in the market for more firepower in the lineup if third baseman Alex Bregman signs elsewhere this winter. And while the Mariners have much bigger needs at the corner infield spots, adding some pop to the lineup wouldn't hurt.