Did Lee Deal Bring Bellinger Closer To Cubs Reunion?

Another outfield option, Jung Hoo Lee, is off the market and it could impact Cody Bellinger's free agency.

Free agency can have a domino effect. And the dominos are starting to fall for former Chicago Cubs slugger Cody Bellinger.

The funny thing is the dominos could be leading Bellinger back to Chicago.

First, Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That was a player the Cubs had interest in,

Now, it’s Jung Hoo Lee, the Korean outfielder who reportedly agreed to a six-year, $113 million deal, per multiple reports.

The agreement is of interest to the Cubs because, per USA Today, the Cubs were among three teams that had “strong” interest in Lee. The others were the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Diego Padres.

With Lee off the market, USA Today reports that the Cubs, the Blue Jays and the Padres now have Bellinger “squarely” on their radars. The San Francisco Giants are also believed to be interested.

The New York Yankees were believed to be in on Bellinger as well. But their recent trade with the San Diego Padres, which brought them Juan Soto and Trent Grisham, who seem to take the Yankees out of the running.

With Soto gone, the Padres now have a need in the outfield.

The Cubs could use Bellinger at either center field or at first base, where they have clear needs. But, with top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong waiting in the wings with a superior defensive glove, he could be the starting center fielder in 2024. But, if the Cubs were able to sign Bellinger, the veteran could play first base.

Bellinger was named the National League Comeback Player of the Year after he a Silver Slugger and slashed .307/.356/.525/.881 in 130 games with 26 home runs and 97 RBI, despite missing a month with an injury.

That came after two awful seasons in Los Angeles with the Dodgers, in which he barely batted .200 and dealt with injuries that limited his ability to play at the level that made him the 2019 National League MVP and a 2020 World Series champion.

Bellinger is also a former NL Rookie of the Year and Gold Glove recipient.