Insider Suggests Chicago Cubs Aren't Done Adding Players After Cody Bellinger Deal
For much of the offseason, the Chicago Cubs were seen as having one of the worst free agency periods out of any team.
After claiming they were going to build a contender by going after the star players on the market, that did not come to fruition.
The Cubs eventually landed Shota Imanaga, Hector Neris and others in a trade, but it wasn't the same feel with Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell and others still out there.
Throughout the winter, Bellinger and Chicago were seen as the obvious fit. The issue was financial as the Cubs weren't willing to pay what the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year was looking to receive.
Chicago ultimately won that staring contest, landing him for three years and $80 million.
There are opt-outs built in after the first two seasons, so Bellinger could be back on the market looking for another long-term deal again if he performs well.
But, this contract is huge for the Cubs.
They're still under the Competitive Balance Tax threshold, meaning they can land another high-profile free agent if they want.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com thinks that could be Chapman.
"... while the Bellinger signing might seemingly take the Cubs out of the mix for the third baseman, it would be foolish to close the door entirely on that scenario," he writes.
It makes sense.
Chicago is going to try giving Christopher Morel more reps at third base in hopes he can develop defensively.
However, Chapman is a sure thing.
He just won his fourth Gold Glove award last season and is still an above-average hitter with an OPS+ of 108.
"If Chapman is willing to take a deal with the same structure as Bellinger -- albeit likely with a lower AAV and total guarantee -- then the Cubs could still be in play for the third baseman if they were willing to surpass that first threshold," Feinsand adds.
That might be a tough sell.
Boras isn't used to not getting his clients the top-of-market deals, but he also can't afford to have his clients still free agents by the time the upcoming year begins.
Doing this type of deal with the Cubs might be exactly what Chapman's market is.
If Chicago is willing to go into the tax threshold with a high payroll, then they could be aggressive and add the Gold Glover to this roster.
