Latest Cody Bellinger trade rumor could set the framework of Mariners' deal

If you are holding out hope that the idea of the Chicago Cubs trading Cody Bellinger is just a thoughtless mind exercise, now would be a good time to come to grip wit the reality that Bellinger will probably be a former Cub by this time next week.

Unlike the weird Seiya Suzuki rumor, it seems all but certain that Bellinger will be moved at the Winter Meetings once Juan Soto makes his free-agent decision.

The usual suspects have emerged in the market for Bellinger, with the New York Yankees popping up as a potential suitor, as is always the case when Bellinger is available but in recent days, there has been a stronger connection to the Houston Astros.

The Astros' division rival, the Seattle Mariners, also get a mention in the latest from Bruce Levine for 670 The Score.

As soon as star outfielder Juan Soto chooses which New York club he wants to take $600 million from in free agency, discussions around Bellinger will gain more traction. Recently, the Yankees, Mariners and Astros have all checked in with the Cubs about a Bellinger trade, sources told 670 The Score. Many around baseball expect Soto to make his decision before or during the Winter Meetings.

The Mariners were briefly linked to Bellinger last offseason, so it stands to reason they would have interest in the veteran outfielder this winter as well. The Mariners' interest in Bellinger comes during a week where it was reported that they have been in trade talks with Cubs. Among the names that have been mentioned in trade talks between the two teams is Cubs' second baseman Nico Hoerner and Mariners' starting pitcher Luis Castillo.

If the Cubs and Mariners were to match on a Bellinger deal, Castillo would probably be the piece coming back to Chicago.

It's another sign that the Cubs are not viewing a Bellinger trade as a pure salary dump. Whether you agree with the premise or not, the Cubs feel that the money currently allocated to Bellinger would be better used on the starting rotation.