He Chicago CubsThe offseason largely hinges on Cody Bellinger’s decision in free agency. He can opt to receive $27.5 million next season, or he can opt out of his current contract in search of more long-term stability. If Bellinger goes the latter route, it will put the Cubs in a difficult position. Chicago is not typically a team that spends a lot of money on its stars.

So let’s imagine for a moment a world in which Bellinger leaves Chicago. That puts the Cubs’ offense in a desperate situation. Chicago already struggles to generate consistent production from the heart of its lineup. Isaac Paredes was supposed to help, but he couldn’t find the holes at Wrigley Field. Dansby Swanson hasn’t hit well in a long time. Pete Crow-Armstrong, for all his dynamic talent, has yet to fully excel at the plate.

The Cubs without Bellinger are a dramatically worse team. There are ways to replace it, including some possible updatesbut most Chicago fans really like Belli Bombs and everything the former MVP represents. Losing him would be difficult. It would be especially difficult if you left Chicago for one of these destinations.

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It’s time that Pittsburgh Pirates start spending money and winning games, lest Livvy Dunne frustrations increase. The Pirates absolutely have a winning formula with Paul Skenes, Jared Jones and an electric starting rotation. Now is the time to push forward on offense.

Pittsburgh has a couple of adequate sluggers in Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, but this was arguably the worst offensive team in the National League last season. On several occasions, Skenes put on a dazzling performance, only to have the Pirates blow a lead due to lackluster run support. Pittsburgh has other holes to fill, especially in the bullpen, but a pair of star bats would begin to dramatically change this organization.

It’s not like the Pirates to make a serious long-term offer for a star of Bellinger’s caliber, but with time running out for Skenes (we know he won’t renew at the end of his rookie contract), the Pirates have a clear directive to win . as much as possible before their Cy Young candidate slips away. Bellinger would give the Pirates a much-needed veteran presence, postseason experience and a disciplined bat. His slugging numbers dipped last season, but Bellinger still hit 18 home runs while regularly peppering extra-base hits.

Obviously, this would keep Bellinger in the NL Central, facing Chicago in what is sure to be a heated race for the division crown. Cubs fans don’t want to support Bellinger so directly, but moving to Pittsburgh would leave them no choice.

He Philadelphia Phillies They were the best team in baseball for much of last season, and there’s no reason to think Philadelphia can’t recapture some of that magic in 2025. The playoffs didn’t go as planned, but the talent on that roster compares to any other. equipment. Dave Dombrowski doesn’t usually take shortcuts. He is keen to improve his squad when the right opportunities arise.

We can safely cross Juan Soto off the list of likely Phillies free agent additions, but Bellinger is a realistic backup plan. It won’t have as dramatic an impact on Philadelphia’s salary cap and addresses a continuing need in the outfield. The Phillies have struggled to find consistent bats in left and center; Bellinger can obviously rake, but he’s also a positive defender at any outfield position. The Phillies are missing two-way stars.

Bellinger would take Philadelphia to the next level and potentially position the Phillies as favorites to emerge from the National League fray, which is bad enough for the Cubs, who have postseason aspirations of their own. However, seeing Bellinger team up with another beloved former Cub in Kyle Schwarber would hurt even more. There would be a lot of memories there, and any success Schwarber and Bellinger experienced together would raise the age-old question of “what if?”

If Bellinger leaves Chicago, the Cubs will generally expect it to be for an American League team. Ideally one without much baggage, like the Sailors. But, if it’s the next team, that will also bring bad vibes to the Windy City.

This story is very tired. How many good players have left their teams for more money and the prestige of New York Yankees baseball? Cody Bellinger would certainly fill a need for New York, whose outfield roster will become terribly patchy if Juan Soto leaves in free agency. But these kinds of results just suck. At least choose a more interesting esoteric destination.

The Cubs traded Anthony Rizzo to Chicago in 2021. We’ve seen what happens when a beloved Chicago slugger ends up in a Yankees uniform. It hasn’t been the easiest sailing for Rizzo in New York, but he remains a fan favorite in Chicago. Bellinger hasn’t created the same good will, but there would be a real sense of disappointment if he ends up in the Bronx, promoting his new $150 million-plus contract in pinstripes.

Marcus Stroman left the Cubs for the Yankees a year ago. Their departure was a bit more mutual, but it set the stage for a much larger poaching job in New York and Chicago. Bellinger hitting baseballs in front of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton is good for business. The discipline and grip gene that defines Bellinger’s approach would be extremely beneficial to a weak Yankees offense, especially if Soto packs up and leaves.

The Cubs should re-sign Bellinger and get it over with, but if the price gets too high, Chicago will let him walk. Whether it’s to New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or another more mysterious suitor, it’s hard to imagine fans will be excited about his departure.