Chicago Cubs Rumors: A pursuit of Matt Chapman not ruled out

The Chicago Cubs signing Cody Bellinger to a three-year deal with opt-outs after the first two seasons has shifted the calculus that many have for the remaining Scott Boras clients that are free agents.

There is no doubt that Boras erred in his evaluation of Bellinger with the Cubs ultimately getting the better of the agent that many believe to be the best in baseball.

It's likely that the Cubs are doing with major moves this off-season as Bellinger's deal provides them with less than $5MM before the first level of the luxury tax. The implication from Bellinger's deal with the Cubs is that Boras' other clients--Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, and Matt Chapman--may have to alter their expectations.

Of the three, there is a belief that Chapman may be the most likely to take a one-year prove-it deal with the chance of cashing in next off-season. To that end, Mark Feinsand of MLB dot com does not rule out the possibility of the Cubs remaining involved in Chapman's market.

While not impossible, it does not seem likely that Matt Chapman is a realistic option for the Chicago Cubs.

Feinsand's wording on the Cubs remaining interested in Chapman sounds more like opinion-based reporting as opposed to factual. There is a world where Chapman may be forced to take a one-year deal and while that would appeal to the Cubs, it would also appeal to the San Francisco Giants--the team that has been linked to the former Toronto Blue Jays' third baseman for the entire off-season.

It would also seem that the Cubs are steadfast in their desire to give Christopher Morel an opportunity at third base. Morel has long been the desire of many Cubs fans and he has impressed through the first weekend of games in Spring Training. Morel wouldn't preclude the Cubs from pursuing Chapman but it does give the Cubs more flexibility with the designated hitter's spot in the starting lineup. Therefore, short of Chapman's market going completely dormant, the Cubs likely will pass on the veteran third baseman.

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