Chicago Cubs Target Padres Infielder, Cody Bellinger Deal in Danger Amidst Prolonged Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs are hungry for hardware, and their sights are set on the San Diego Padres’ Swiss Army knife, Ha-Seong Kim. But with Cody Bellinger potentially in one of the longest free-agency folds of teams, is this a sign the slugger deal might be on the rocks?

According to Cubbies Crib, the cash-conscious Cubs are eyeing Kim, a Gold Glove-winning infielder with a knack for swiping bases (38 last season!), as a defensive anchor. He’d join a potential defensive juggernaut featuring Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Ian Happ, making Wrigley a fielding fortress—but there’s a curveball.

Windy City Wants More? Cubs Eye Ha-Seong Kim Amid Bellinger Buzz

The Chicago Cubs might have to dangle prospects like Alexander Canario and James Triantos to pry Kim loose. Now, this throws a wrench into the Cody Bellinger saga. Can the Cubs afford both? Or is the Bellinger deal contingent on landing a cheaper defensive solution like Kim?

Insiders at MLB Trade Rumors fuel the speculation, saying Kim might “make some sense” for the Cubs with their third base uncertainties. And with Kim a free agent after 2024, he becomes a one-year, $7 million gamble to solidify the hot corner while top prospect Matt Shaw simmers in the minors.

Padres fans, don’t fret. While San Diego might be aiming for a quicker rebuild, they wouldn’t get top-tier prospects like Cristian Hernandez or Jefferson Rojas in a Kim and Cubs deal. But with him walking for free if they hold on to him, the Cubs’ prospective offer might be too tempting to refuse. So, to answer the question, is the Cody Bellinger deal in danger?

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Not necessarily. But the Kim speculation adds another layer to the Chicago Cubs’ offseason wheeling and dealing. The North Side is buzzing with anticipation, and if they snag both Bellinger and Kim, the Windy City Faithful might just be celebrating a victory sooner rather than later, especially considering how far they still have to go to build a team worthy of contention.

PECOTA says Cubbies have to wait, but fans want fireworks!

PECOTA’s lukewarm forecast by Cubbies Crib has Chicago Cubs fans shivering: a projected second-place finish, barely edging closer to 2023’s playoff elimination. But hold your horses, Cubs faithful! There’s hope, after all.

Shota Imanaga fills Marcus Stroman’s gap, Michael Busch brings power, and prospects are waiting in the wings. New manager Craig Counsell promises a sort of “win-maximizing” magic. But a 31.2% playoff chance and a measly World Series bump aren’t exactly inspiring. So what is the missing piece?

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PECOTA can’t predict it—a Bellinger return, another big bat (hear us, Kim?), or even a splashy trade for Jordan Montgomery or Matt Chapman. The NL Central is wide open, with the Cardinals vulnerable, the Brewers depleted, and the Reds and the Pirates struggling. This is Chicago’s chance!

The Dodgers and Braves may be baseball’s biggest Goliaths right now, but who says the Cubs can’t be their David? PECOTA’s projections are a wake-up call, not a death knell. President Jed Hoyer needs to light a fire; the Chicago Cubs’ fans deserve more than “not bad.” So get ready for an offseason of action, because come spring, that Wrigley rooftop might just be rocking with the roar of a team exceeding expectations once again.