Griffin Quinn/Getty Images
Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger has generated “real interest” on the trade market, according to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.
A trade involving fellow outfielder Seiya Suzuki would be unlikely if Bellinger is ultimately moved, per Sharma. The Cubs are also interested in free-agent starter Jack Flaherty, who’s coming off an impressive 2024 campaign with the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chicago is only planning to target Flaherty if his cost “doesn’t get too elevated,” though (via Sharma).
The 29-year-old opened the 2024 season with the Tigers before he was dealt to the Dodgers ahead of the trade deadline.
In 28 combined starts, Flaherty finished with a 13-7 record to go along with a 3.17 ERA and 1.068 WHIP. He racked up 194 strikeouts compared to just 38 walks in 162 innings of work.
As for Bellinger, interest in him appears to be picking up. On Nov. 25, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale initially reported that the Cubs were offering him to “anyone and everyone” and no team “expressed strong interest” in the two-time All-Star.
The 29-year-old is coming off a disappointing season, as he wasn’t able to build upon a promising first year in Chicago.
Bellinger hit .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs in 2023, although those numbers dropped to .266 with 18 homers and 78 RBIs in 2024 while playing the same amount of games. His OPS also fell from .881 to .751.
He has reportedly picked up his $27.5 million player option for 2025 and also has a $25 million option for the 2026 season.
Bruce Levine of Audacy’s 670 The Score revealed on Thursday that the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros have all “checked in” with the Cubs regarding a Bellinger trade.
With the top free-agent outfielder off the board after Juan Soto agreed to a 15-year contract worth $765 million to join the New York Mets on Sunday, teams searching for outfield help could be intensifying their efforts to pursue Bellinger.