Chicago Cubs Free Agent Targets If Bellinger Leaves

The Chicago Cubs took a flyer on Cody Bellinger when they signed him to a one-year $17.5 million deal during free agency. It was an opportunity for the 2019 MVP to resurrect his career after two brutal seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hitting .316/.358/.545 with 25 home runs and 90 RBI, the 28-year-old is reminding teams of how talented a player he is this year.

The Cubs would love to have their slugger back next year, but it will cost them a lot of money as Bellinger will be one of the top free agents in an overall weak class.

They have the capital to re-sign the slugger, but with so many talented prospects on the verge of being Major League ready, the front office might want to spend money elsewhere.

So, if Chicago does lose Bellinger this offseason, who could be his replacement?

The call-up of No. 1 prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong has given the organization a glimpse into the future. He's been a tremendous defender in his three games, but hasn't shown he can hit at the MLB level so far.

He's yet to record a hit in his seven at-bats and has struck out three times.

The front office will need to hit the free agent market to find a bat while Crow-Armstrong continues developing.

Teoscar Hernandez would be the best fit.

The 30-year-old is hitting .267/.312/.457 with 25 home runs and 88 RBI in his first season with the Seattle Mariners.

He would be able to keep production in the lineup that could be missed by Bellinger's departure. Plus, he can play multiple positions across the outfield as well.

It might be tough prying him away from the Mariners when he hits the open market this offseason, so another replacement could be Harrison Bader.

The current Cincinnati Reds outfielder never caught on with the New York Yankees the past couple seasons, partly due to injuries, but he is familiar with the division based on his time with the St. Louis Cardinals and now Reds.

Bader provides great defense in the outfield and brings speed on the bases with his lifetime slash line of .237/.280/.356.

The Cubs will do their very best to keep Bellinger from leaving in free agency, but if he does go elsewhere, these are two players who Chicago could sign to replace him.