In a Very Thin Market, Cody Bellinger Sweepstakes Narrows Down to Final Two Teams

As the free agency market is narrowing, with the biggest names being picked off the table one after another, the future of Cody Bellinger remains speculative. According to several market reports, Bellinger is being sought after by many teams. However, recent news revealed that two of them in particular are in a serious duel over acquiring Cody Love.

The 2x All-Star has been a surefire talent to look out for in the wake of his massive comeback this season in the Chicago Cubs clubhouse. The slugger initially refused to re-sign with the team. But they are heavily interested in getting him back. That dream of a Cubs-Cody reunion is being put to the test by the Toronto Blue Jays. Does the recently disclosed staggering offer from the Blue Jays for Shohei Ohtani further complicate the Cubs’ prospects of a reunion with Cody?

Cubs pose a “threat” to Blue Jays as they lock horns to clinch Cody Bellinger

According to MLB insider and The Post columnist Jon Heyman, the Jays are being expected to run after Cody Bellinger after they missed their chances on securing superstars like Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto this month.

The Blue Jays is in dire need of a lefty hitter, and there aren’t many options available regarding the same. However, their chance of going after Bellinger will be heavily affected by his former team’s intentions. To quote Heyman, “The Cubs remain a threat to keep Bellinger, who’s said to have liked his first year on the North Side very much.”

Bellinger is reportedly seeking an asking price above expectations. That will be the next big factor in the team’s ability to go after him. Cody Bellinger is looking for an offer that’s worth $200 million, according to a USA Today report. That brings up the question of the contending teams’ lack of resources to afford such a range.

The biggest deal cracked by the Cubs to date was that of Jason Heyward at $184 million for 8 years. Michael Cerami, a Cubs analyst, suggests that the Cubs have the flexibility to be inventive with a fresh contract for Bellinger. On the other hand, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays extended the same $700 million deal to superstar Shohei Ohtani, which he ultimately accepted from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Read More: Blue Jays’ Failed Soto and Ohtani Pursuit Leaves Them Troubled as Crucial Superstar Search Hits Roadblock

This indicates both clubhouses are more than capable of paying Bellinger his salt’s worth. Keep an eye on this space to find out which team will finally be able to clinch the star slugger in their dugout. Or will a third team be thrown into the mix?

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