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For weeks now, Chicago Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger has been linked to trade rumors with the August 1st trade deadline right around the corner. There will be plenty of offers for Bellinger, but the Cubs front office should refuse them all and do the opposite by giving him a long-term extension. Here are three reasons why the Cubs would be fools to trade Cody Bellinger.
1. He's the best hitter on the team
Part of the reason that the Cubs went on a massive cold streak in May is because Bellinger went down with a hip injury that sidelined him for a month. During that stretch without Bellinger, the Cubs went 11-16. I'm not saying there's a direct correlation there, but there is no denying that this lineup looks way worse without Bellinger in there.
Not to mention the fact that Bellinger's batting average is currently over .300 with a full slash line of .302/.357/.518. According to Fangraphs, Bellinger also has the second-best wRC+ on the team at 133 and his 2.3 WAR is second only to Dansby Swanson. Bellinger's presence in this lineup is a literal game-changer.