Two Teams Favored to Land Cubs Free-Agent Slugger

The Chicago Cubs may have a difficult time retaining one of their best hitters from last season.

The Chicago Cubs may be slipping in their potential pursuit of their top free-agent hitter.

On Sunday USA Today reported that two teams were the co-favorites to land Cubs free-agent slugger Cody Bellinger — the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees.

The pursuit is positive for Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, as they’re seeking what could be the second-best multi-year deal for a position player in this market behind two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who is rumored to be a primary target of the Cubs.

Having two bidders in big markets like San Francisco and New York could drive up the price for Bellinger. The New York Post’s salary projections recently indicated that Bellinger could land a deal as rich as $240 million and for as long as eight years, with an average annual value between $27.5 million and $30 million.

That’s much better than the $20.325 qualifying offer Bellinger turned down earlier this month.

If Ohtani is truly the Cubs’ primary target then keeping Bellinger may be off the table.

Bellinger was named the NL Comeback Player of the Year and also won a Silver Slugger in 2023 as he 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.