Chicago Cubs Rumors: Kyle Hendricks and Cody Bellinger named as top trade chips

In a recent article from MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Chicago Cubs players Kyle Hendricks and Cody Bellinger were listed as rising trade chips for the August 1st trade deadline.

Both men have been on hot stretches in recent weeks and should draw some phone calls in Jed Hoyer's office.

Hendricks sports a respectable 3.57 ERA in 10 starts this year and the 33-year-old has experience with winning teams. With a lot of contending teams in need of another starting pitcher, the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Dodgers to name a few, there is a serious possibility that Hendricks could get moved.

The soft tossing right-hander also has another year of team control on his contract with a club option worth $16 million for 2024. This would drive Hendricks' price up and call for a bigger prospect package in return.

As for Bellinger, a lot of teams will be in on the sweepstakes since he is a young but experienced left-handed power hitter. He can also play gold-glove caliber defense in center field and at first base. Teams like the New York Yankees, the Houston Astros, or the San Francisco Giants could be enticed to float a prospect package for the former NL MVP.

Bellinger would effectively be a rental however since the 2024 portion of his contract is a mutual option. Meaning if Bellinger keeps sporting a .300 batting average and continues his hot streak (4 home runs and 1.199 OPS in his last 15 games), he will opt out of that 2024 option and seek a long-term deal. This means the Cubs hypothetically would not get a huge return for Bellinger, calling into question whether they should even trade him.

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