Today Joel Sherman wrote at the New York Post that the Yankees should pursue a Cody Bellinger trade with the Cubs even in the event that they re-sign Juan Soto. You can read all about it here. Very thoughtful take, and something to keep in mind as Soto makes his choice.
I wanted to mention something from the article that was kind of an aside, but really jumped out at me. It jumped out because it’s NOT something we’ve heard before, and it is REALLY not something I’d like to be the case. Let me just go ahead and add some bold font to the part that made me scream at my computer as I read it:
“The Cubs are determined to trade either Bellinger (due $27.5 million in 2025 with a $25 million player option in 2026 or $5 million buyout), or Seiya Suzuki (two years at $36 million) to reallocate that money elsewhere, a source familiar with Chicago’s thinking told The Post.”
The Cubs feeling the need to unload Cody Bellinger to reallocate those funds is one thing – I don’t love it, I don’t prefer it, but I understand it based on the positional opportunities/overlaps, prospect depth, and budget. But the Cubs moving Seiya Suzuki’s (much smaller, by the way) contract just to save money? When he’s the best bat on a team that needs offense? When he’s a Japanese star at a time when the Cubs are trying to create a pipeline to keep courting other Japanese stars? Are you freaking kidding me?
I’m going to just let myself assume that the source is flat out wrong. It’s also worth noting that Suzuki has a full no-trade clause, so he isn’t being dealt without his permission anyway. So the Cubs’ return would already be limited. And you’re gonna mess up that relationship by asking him? It’s all just so asinine.
Until and unless we hear more about this being an actual thing, I’m just going to assume this was about wires getting crossed, and/or about some source making an assumption based on the positional overlap between Bellinger and Suzuki in right field. This cannot, and should not, be something the Cubs are even remotely considering at this time.