Anthony Santander among FAs Cubs need to consider in light of Cody Bellinger rumors

The Chicago Cubs appear to be working toward a trade of Cody Bellinger this offseason.

Ever since the start of the offseason, the messaging from Jed Hoyer was if the Cubs were fully expecting Bellinger to opt out of the three-year deal he signed with the team last offseason. Considering the outfield prospects the Cubs have knocking on the door of the Major League level as well as the added financial flexibility that would have been available, it makes sense why Hoyer and company were in the early stages of preparing a 2025 roster that does not include Bellinger.

If the plan is for the Cubs to trade Bellinger as a way to create playing time for prospects such as Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara, there is logic behind that. Having said that, it must not be lost on the front office that the team needs to reach the postseason in 2025. Hinging those hopes on prospects isn't the best direction in terms of accomplishing that goal.

If the Cubs trade Bellinger, they will need to have another move lined up in order to add some established consistency to the starting lineup.

1. Anthony Santander

Anthony Santander is one of the best free-agent bats available not named Juan Soto. With the Baltimore Orioles last season, Santander slashed .235/.308/.506/129wRC+ with 44 home runs. At 30 years old, Santander is expected to find a deal within the range of five years for $100MM-$125MM. For a Cubs team that has a need for power but is mindful of how much money they spend, Santander makes a ton of sense.

2. Teoscar Hernández

If we're being honest, if the Cubs had put the effort into pursuing Teoscar Hernández last offseason that they placed into bringing Bellinger back, we probably aren't having this conversation. Hernández inked a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season and it could not have worked out any better. The 32-year-old outfielder slashed .272/.339/.501/134wRC+ with 33 home runs. In a world where the Cubs are locked onto the idea of trading Bellinger, Hernández would be a suitable replacement.

3. Pete Alonso

Of the three mentioned, Pete Alonso would probably be the most likely considering the Cubs' connections to him over the past two years. Alonso had a down season with the New York Mets in 2024 but still managed to come away with 34 home runs. With Bellinger not in the picture, imagining Alonso on the Cubs becomes easier as he could slot as the team's first baseman with Michael Busch moving over to the second base depending on what the future holds for Nico Hoerner.