After signing Cody Bellinger, an insider suggests the Chicago Cubs aren’t done adding players.
The Chicago Cubs were thought to have one of the worst free agency seasons of any team for a large portion of the offseason.
They did not follow through on their promise to develop a contender by pursuing the top companies in the market. Even though the Cubs acquired Shota Imanaga, Hector Neris, and other players in a trade, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, and other players were still available.
Bellinger and Chicago were seen to be the logical fit over the winter. The Cubs’ unwillingness to give the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year what he was hoping to receive made the situation financially unsolvable. That staring competition was ultimately won by Chicago, which signed him for three years and $80 million.
If Bellinger plays well, he may be back on the market searching for another long-term deal because there are opt-outs built in after the first two seasons.
However, the Cubs value this deal greatly.Bellinger and Chicago were seen to be the logical fit over the winter. The Cubs’ unwillingness to give the 2023 Comeback Player of the Year what he was hoping to receive made the situation financially unsolvable.
That staring competition was ultimately won by Chicago, which signed him for three years and $80 million. If Bellinger plays well, he may be back on the market searching for another long-term deal because there are opt-outs built in after the first two seasons.
However, the Cubs value this deal greatly. They can still sign another prominent free agent if they so want because they are still below the Competitive Balance Tax threshold.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, that might 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 argues.
It is logical.
Chicago will attempt to increase Christopher Morel’s playing time at third base in an effort to help him improve defensively. Chapman, though, is a given.They can still sign another prominent free agent if they so want because they are still below the Competitive Balance Tax threshold.
With an OPS+ of 108, he is still above average as a hitter despite having just won his fourth Gold Glove award last season.
“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 says.
That could be difficult to sell.
While Boras isn’t accustomed to not landing his clients the best agreements available, he also can’t afford for them to be unrestricted free agents come the start of the next season.
Reaching a deal of this nature with the Cubs may be precisely what Chapman’s market requires. Chicago might be bold and add the Gold Glover to this team if they are prepared to cross the tax barrier with a large wage.