Cubs refuse to trade stars despite winter meetings pressure
- Cody Bellinger is signed with the Chicago Cubs for $52.5 million over two years, but his recent performance has dropped significantly.
- Seiya Suzuki, who also plays a key role, has expressed willingness to consider a trade, but current conditions may not result in a deal.
- With their payroll projected at $174 million, the Cubs are under no immediate pressure to make trades, allowing them to strategize effectively.
In December 2024, the Chicago Cubs found themselves navigating a roster situation complicated by salary commitments and trade considerations. Specifically, Cody Bellinger, who failed to opt out of his two-year contract worth $52.5 million, has contributed to a logjam of position players. Bellinger's performance saw a significant drop, as indicated by a reduction in his rWAR from 4.4 in the previous season to 2.2 last year. This decline in performance raised questions regarding his trade value, despite interest from the New York Yankees and other teams. Another key player, Seiya Suzuki, remains a significant factor in trade discussions. While he has a no-trade clause, his agent expressed a willingness to explore trade options if the Cubs consider him a bat-only asset. The offseason trade card at the winter meetings recently hinted at possible moves, although the consensus remains that these rumors may not materialize into actual trades. Bellinger and Suzuki's predicaments remained intertwined, largely because of the Cubs' balance of payroll and their intention to add a veteran catcher to strengthen the lineup. The Cubs' current projections put their payroll at about $174 million, giving them a comfortable range to maneuver without the immediate pressure to make poor trades. Current platoon options, including third baseman Isaac Paredes and prospects such as Matt Shaw and Owen Caissie, further complicate the roster management. However, both Shaw and Caissie are currently slated to return to Triple-A, providing some flexibility. In conclusion, the franchise's leadership, namely baseball president Jed Hoyer and general manager Carter Hawkins, is faced with these decisions as the club navigates a unique challenge of having surplus players while still desperately needing to fortify the catcher position ahead of the upcoming season. Each backed decision will impact the team’s strategy going forward, especially concerning the aging lineup and the prospects who could serve as future replacements or key contributors. Such a situation underscores the multifaceted challenges teams face as they balance performance, players' values, and the demands of competitive positioning within Major League Baseball.