MLB Rumors: Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman? Despite Cubs’ Reunion Hopes, $200 Million Demands May Force Another Move

Scott Boras is playing a highly risky hand here; if he wins, he’ll hit the jackpot, but if things go south, his clients will have trouble. While both Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman have a decent number of suitors, a bad record coupled with huge asking prices is damaging their standings. The common thread between these two players is the Chicago Cubs, but even that comes with a strong condition.

The Cubs have been writing a blueprint for what patience looks like. Despite being early favorites and having sufficient funds, the team has remained adamant in its price stance. The risky strategy has started to show results as the market for these players is emptying fast. But with both Chapman and Bellinger being suitable, who is it that the Cubs prefer?

The heart says Cody Bellinger, but not the brain—the Chicago Cubs Story

ESPN’s Mark Feinsand shared an interesting picture between Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, and the Chicago Cubs. Stating that Bellinger remains the Cubs’ primary target, Feinsand revealed that the Cubs could go for Chapman “especially if Chicago doesn’t bring back Bellinger.” With both teams in their crosshairs, the Cubs are looking like the apex predators but are as calm as a tiger before an attack.

As Feinsand shared, despite being favorites for Cody Bellinger, the Cubs have remained silent. They’ve noticed that most teams haven’t made a serious offer to the slugger yet. So it wouldn’t be smart for the Cubs to raise their offer and bid against themselves. While Bellinger expects a $200 million plus contract, this strategy of the Cubs is turning out to be a winning one.

Not only are teams unwilling to match that number, but they have also signed other positional players for less. So with the chief suitors losing their desperation, Boras and Bellinger have an issue. This issue gets magnified with the presence of Chapman, a great defender and slugger whose contract will not be as expensive as Bellinger’s.

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The Cubs could pivot on the 31-year-old Chapman. This becomes even more obvious, as Chapman could take a relatively shorter-term deal than Bellinger due to his age. Everyone knows that President Jed Hoyer loves his short-term deals. So is there no way out for Boras?

Could the mirage of Scott Boras be breaking apart?

With all three of his clients struggling to get an offer that’s near their asking price, Boras is going through an unprecedented situation. TV revenue problems and tight budgets have already slowed the market down this year. With the teams unwilling to spend huge amounts, Boras might have to do the unthinkable and lower his clients’ prices.

Read more: MLB Updates: Scott Boras Clients Begin Spring Training Without a Team? Overwhelming Contract Demands Impact Bellinger and Snell

There have been reports that there are a bunch of teams ready to compete if the price of Snell, Bellinger, and Chapman gets lowered. This could inadvertently help his clients get bigger deals—a bidding war is a dream scenario. But will Boras do it?