Chicago Cubs Still 'Viewed as Favorites' in Cody Bellinger Sweepstakes

The Chicago Cubs seem to be the frontrunners to land their former slugger in free agency.

There's no doubt the Chicago Cubs need to make another splash move at this point in the offseason.

They entered thinking they would have plenty of new stars to showcase by the time it was Opening Day, however, whiffing on Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in free agency and not landing Juan Soto or another elite player via trade has made things disappointing.

The Cubs were able to land Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga, but that's been their only free agent addition of note.

Cody Bellinger continues to be the name discussed as Chicago hasn't replaced his bat in the lineup and look considerably worse on paper without him penciled onto their roster.

His free agency has been interesting.

Coming off a resurgent year with the Cubs, there were expectations the star slugger and former MVP would have plenty of suitors. So many that Chicago wouldn't be able to get him back unless they spent massively on his contract.

That hasn't been the case.

He still has not signed with a team and it seems like his market has cratered with front offices across the league potentially worried his production dips for the remainder of his career.

Bellinger's depreciated market works in favor of the Cubs and Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported they are still the frontrunners to reunite with their former slugger.

"Then there are the Cubs, who must still be viewed as favorites to bring Bellinger back to the North Side ... Ultimately, the widespread belief within the industry is that Bellinger and the Cubs will reunite, but only if/when his asking price comes down," he writes.

That echoes a lot of what has been reported surrounding the Bellinger sweepstakes this offseason.

Chicago will likely sign him, but they're waiting for his price to come down.

It seems like that will eventually happen unless the Toronto Blue Jays get antsy and give him a megadeal to have him join their lineup.

The Cubs are playing the waiting game right now, and it could either work in their favor, or come back to haunt them.