MLB Rumors: Cubs Working on 'Big' Trade for Starting Pitcher After Kyle Tucker Deal

The Kyle Tucker trade was just the start of the Chicago Cubs efforts on the offseason trade market.

During an appearance on Cubs 360, Bruce Levine of Marquee Sports Network reported that the team was actively shopping for a starting pitcher and were specifically talking to the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants about a Cody Bellinger trade.

"They are working on getting a starting pitcher," Levine said. "Jed Hoyer promised us at the winter meetings in Dallas that the focus would be trade, trade and trade and that free agency would come a little later."

The Cubs dealt third baseman Isaac Paredes, 2024 first-round pick Cam Smith and pitcher Hayden Wesneski for Tucker, who will immediately become a prominent lefty bat in the lineup. This makes Bellinger expendable, and moving him for an impact move could bolster the rotation.

The Yankees were also in on Tucker and pivoting to Bellinger could help fill the hole left by Juan Soto's departure. The team also is flush with starting pitching depth after signing Max Fried in free agency, so an intriguing arm like Luis Gil could be expendable.

Chicago went 83-79 in 2024 and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. The Tucker move was a major splash and adding another rotation starter alongside Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele and Jameson Taillon could help the team take a step forward in the NL Central.