3 unsurprising matches in a Cody Bellinger trade - and two depend on Juan Soto

There's a palpable buzz in the air as the Juan Soto sweepstakes start winding down and everyone heads down to Dallas for the Winter Meetings. If Soto signs by next week, the Winter Meetings might as well be called Bellinger-Palooza because Jed Hoyer is going to be talking with everyone who missed out on Soto about trading for the 29-year-old.

In a new piece over at ESPN+ (subscription required) Kiley McDaniel and David Schoenfield prime the pump on the Winter Meetings, looking at a number of All-Star caliber players who could be on the block - including Bellinger.

Once Juan Soto signs, expect Cody Bellinger's market to explode

The duo singles out three teams as potential fits in a Bellinger deal - and two of them are reported finalists for Soto in the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

Brian Cashman and the Yankees have been interested in Bellinger for years now - and trade rumors connecting Chicago and New York have percolated since he came to the Cubs in 2023. Hoyer opted not to trade him at that deadline and, as we all know, wound up bringing him back after a lengthy spell in free agency last offseason.

Bellinger opted into his player option for 2025 at $27.5 million - which is a major hurdle in trading him. That being said, if the Yankees miss out on Soto, they have the money to do so and the fit is undeniable. Adding Bellinger would allow them to get Aaron Judge out of center field and also offers a nice insurance policy at first base, given the team reportedly has no interest in a reunion with Anthony Rizzo.

As for the Mets, the fit is similar. They have a clear need in center field - and if they don't re-sign Pete Alonso, they also have an opening at first base. Bellinger's versatility could be huge for them - and his left-handed bat doesn't hurt matters, either.

The outlier in all of this (as in, the only team mentioned not connected to Soto) is the Houston Astros. They're in a less-than-optimal position with an aging core, a low-end farm system and more questions than answers. Alex Bregman, a cornerstone for Houston for almost a decade, is a free agent - and another batch of big names is headed to free agency next winter.

A match with Houston is probably going to necessitate the Cubs eating at least some of Bellinger's salary - and even then, you're not getting any blue-chip talent in return. But he could bring some stability to the Astros in the short-term while the front office figures out a path forward.