Chicago Cubs Slugger Bellinger Linked to National League Powerhouse at Trade Deadline

The decision for the Chicago Cubs' front office to sell off their assets before the trade deadline keeps getting harder and harder.

Winners of their last five and seven of their last eight games, there's a possibility that the Cubs have played their way into the playoffs.

Entering Thursday, they sit six games back in the NL Central and four-and-a-half games out of the final Wild Card spot.

One of the biggest reasons why is the play of their outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Over the last 15 games, he's hitting .362/.391/.759 with seven home runs and 18 RBI.

After signing a one-year, $17.5 million contract in the offseason, the slugger has returned to his MVP winning form and will most likely command a big contract in the offseason.

Chicago's president Jed Hoyer has to figure out if he wants to sell for the third straight year and get assets back or make a playoff push.

Trade Bellinger to ensure a return of assets or potentially lose one of their best trade pieces for nothing.

Former MLB front office executive Jim Bowden wrote an article in The Athletic about six trades he'd like to see happen before the deadline.

He wants the Cubs to trade their star outfielder to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for two outfield prospects. Bowden thinks that the package of Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Carlos De La Cruz would make sense for both teams.

Trades at the previous two deadlines have strengthened the Chicago farm system with three of their top five prospects coming from those deals. Bowden thinks this trade would do the same for the Cubs.

While their form as of late has been red hot, Fangraphs still only gives them an 18.2 percent to make the playoffs.

If Hoyer wants to get a return for someone he could lose for nothing, this is a trade package that helps them in the long run.

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