Cubs Rumors: Cody Bellinger to the Yankees expected to happen 'at some point'

The dust has settled on the Kyle Tucker blockbuster, with the team's star outfielder set to be introduced via a digital press conference on Tuesday - but the Chicago Cubs and Jed Hoyer are far from done. All signs point to the team closing in on a deal for Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo and, as has been the case for some time now, speculation on a Cody Bellinger trade remains rampant.

To be clear. There's nothing saying the Cubs have to trade Bellinger. In fact, one could argue they're a more complete team with him in the fold - capable of playing all three outfield positions and first base, and a more than capable approach at the plate. But it seems like Hoyer is intent on moving him and all signs continue to point to the New York Yankees as his next home.

The latest from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand says the two sides remain hung up on the amount of money Chicago will kick in to facilitate a trade, but given the roster crunch created by the team's acquisition of Tucker, the expectation throughout the industry is a deal will get done 'at some point' this winter.

Cubs don't have to trade Cody Bellinger - but it seems likely

I'd argue you can make Bellinger fit into a Cubs starting lineup fairly easily, but I understand the sentiment. With everyone re-focused on the team going over the first CBT threshold (news we first talked about here back in August), it stands to reason the front office is going to want as much breathing room as possible, financially speaking, as it looks to stay under in 2025 to reset penalties heading into next offseason.

Bellinger could earn up to $52 million if he opts into his option for 2026 - an amount Hoyer clearly feels can be better spent elsewhere as he looks to build a playoff-worthy roster for the first time since taking over for Theo Epstein in the fall of 2020. But getting any team to eat that entire amount seems unlikely, which means getting a deal done with New York will come down to Hoyer and Brian Cashman finding some sort of middle ground on the dollars.

The player(s) that come back in the deal will be dictated by how much cash the Cubs are sending to the Bronx, so it's hard to even speculate on that. Yankees #5 prospect, right-hander Will Warren, is one name we've heard tossed around - but there hasn't been anything new on that front in recent days.

Bellinger is a clearly above-average player who doesn't turn 30 until next July. He would address multiple glaring needs for New York - but as Cashman continues his about-face on the offseason in the wake of missing out on Juan Soto, he's making sure he's checking every box carefully - so this one could take some time to get across the finish line.