Cubs Rumors: Day 1 of the Winter Meetings offers hints at what's to come

The first day of the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas was unencumbered by the Juan Soto free agent sweepstakes, given the 26-year-old outfielder signed a record-setting 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets late Sunday night.

The conclusion of the Soto saga opens the door for the rest of the market to move and, for the Chicago Cubs and Jed Hoyer, that means locking down a trade partner for Cody Bellinger.

“Good players get asked about,” manager Craig Counsell told Marquee Sports Network. “That’s just how this works now. I think I worry about it a little more during the season. In the off-season, it’s just part of it. It’s part of being a good player. It’s a compliment in a lot of ways.”

Bellinger opted into his player option last month, shaking up the Cubs' offseason plans before they really even got underway. Although he carries a hefty price tag, his defensive versatility and bat-to-ball skills make him a clear option for several teams around the league, including the New York Yankees and Houston Astros - to name a few.

The Cubs' lack of interest in Soto was telling - and it's no secret now that Chicago's likeliest path to adding impact talent this winter is via trade. Bellinger's name has been tossed around everywhere, and there have been rumors surrounding Nico Hoerner and even Seiya Suzuki swirling of late.

Cubs check a key box on the first day of the Winter Meetings

Hoyer is close to adding veteran catcher Carson Kelly to the mix, according to multiple reports. Kelly, 30, graded out as a plus defender and a league-average bat this season with Texas and Detroit, making him a logical platoon partner with Miguel Amaya behind the plate. Finding another quality backstop was a 'must' for the team, so crossing it off the list will feel good.

It's clear where the Cubs are focusing: pitching. On Monday, Chicago was connected to left-hander AJ Minter and former Nationals closer Kyle Finnegan, a clear sign that Hoyer is still looking to add to the bullpen as 2024 winds down.

The offseason seems to be moving at a much quicker pace than last winter, when the Cubs didn't make their first impactful move until mid-January. With a farm system loaded with potential trade chips, expect the team to be front and center this week during the Winter Meetings, even if they're not actively pursuing top-tier free agents.