Cubs Have Two Top 10 Free Agents On Roster

The Chicago Cubs were the only team with two players on the Top 10 list released earlier this week.

Thanks to the trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs have two players that CBS Sports considers among the Top 10 free agents this offseason.

One is Cody Bellinger, who was considered one of the top trade deadline targets until the Cubs decided to keep him and make a run at the National League Central title.

The other was acquired by the Cubs at the deadline — third baseman Jeimer Candelario.

CBS Sports’ ranking, naturally, had Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani at the top. Bellinger was ranked No. 5 while Candelario was ranked No. 10.

What the Cubs do with Bellinger this offseason will be one of the top storylines after the season because Bellinger is outperforming a contract with a mutual option of $25 million after the season.

Bellinger could get a longer deal by passing on the option and going into the open market. After two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers in which he batted .210 or worse, he’s turned his career around on a $12 million salary this season.

In 81 games this season Bellinger has slashed .326/.378/.547/.925 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI.

The Cubs would certainly be interested in extending Bellinger, but the outfielder/first baseman may want to explore the market before engaging with the Cubs.

Candelario is a free agent after this season and he’s playing on a $5 million, one-year deal he signed with the Washington Nationals before the season. He’s had a productive season at the plate, slashing .275/.359/.504/.863 with 17 home runs and 56 RBI. Since he joined the Cubs he’s batted better than .500.

At this pace, Candelario will surpass his career highs for home runs and RBI and bat at least .275 for the third time in four seasons going into an offseason in which he’ll be entering his age 30 season in 2024.

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