Chicago Cubs Have Contingency Plan if They Lose Bellinger in Free Agency

Chicago Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong has caught fire at Triple-A Iowa after a slow start. But, will the Cubs need him to be ready to play outfield at Wrigley Field on Opening Day in 2024?

Recently, USA Today baseball insider Bob Nightengale told the Jack Vita Show that the Cubs had “no chance” of re-signing outfielder Cody Bellinger, if he opted not to exercise his mutual option in 2024.

If that’s the case, then the Cubs might be in a spot of trouble, as Vita explains:

The Cubs have already committed two outfield spots to the likes of Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki through 2026. The Cubs signed Suzuki to a five-year, $85 million contract in March of 2022. Happ received a three-year, $61 million extension in April. Neither has quite lived up to expectations in 2023.

Without Bellinger, the Cubs would need an option in the outfield to go with Happ and Suzuki.

Could Crow-Armstrong be that option?

His recent promotion to Triple-A Iowa puts him in that position, although his first week with Iowa saw him produce 3-for-20 (.150) at the plate with one run, one double, one home run, two walks and eight strikeouts. He did make an incredible catch in center field, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best fielding prospects in baseball.

But his second week, which wrapped up on Sunday against Omaha with a postponement, went more to the Cubs’ liking.

Crow-Armstrong was 8-for-20 (.400) with 10 runs, two doubles, two homers, three RBI, six walks and five strikeouts.

In Saturday’s game, he had a hit in each of his first two at bats, including a double and a home run. He recorded two runs and an RBI.

Now, the 21-year-old is now slashing .275/.408/.575 through his first 10 games at Triple-A.

The Cubs are racing to remain in the race for the National League Central lead, where they enter Monday’s off-day 3.5 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers but half-a-game out of the final Wild Card spot. With Bellinger’s hot bat and the depth in the outfield, the Cubs might be willing to call Crow-Armstrong up when rosters expand.

But, if the Cubs indeed lose Bellinger in free agency and aren’t able to replace him in free agency, Crow-Armstrong’s development is key. The path would be clear for him to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster during Spring Training and earn a starting role.

The way he’s gathering steam at Iowa, he could be ready to compete for that job when the Cubs need it.

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