Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger, 28, has emerged as a hot commodity on the trade market.
“He understands the realities of baseball. It’s definitely starting to look like the trade deadline is coming up,” said MLB.com, suggesting that Bellinger could be traded.
Bellinger is a big bat with a career batting average of .254 (2,876-for-165) with 165 home runs, 459 RBIs and an OPS of .827 in 811 major league games. After being selected by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, he seemed to be on a solid path, winning the National League Rookie of the Year award in 2017 and MVP in 2019. However, he struggled mightily in 2021 and 2022 and was eventually released by the Dodgers to join the Cubs.
Since leaving the Dodgers, Bellinger has bounced back with his new team. In 66 games this season, he is batting .249 (79-for-79) with 13 home runs, 37 RBIs, and a .913 OPS.
Bellinger, who has a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cubs, doesn’t cost much for a team with an immediate need to win. Also, with the Cubs sitting at 46 wins and 51 games out of the postseason, there’s a good chance they could trade Bellinger.
“Bellinger has never been in this situation, but he knows he could be a prime trade chip at the trade deadline and that he doesn’t have much control over it,” MLB.com reported.
“There’s a lot of things I can’t control,” Bellinger said. I don’t know if I’m going to leave, where I’m going to go, what’s going to happen. That’s why I just focus on the game and just play the game and focus on the game. That’s all I can do.”온라인바카라
Bellinger, who has been on an upward trajectory in July, went 4-for-4 with a double, home run, two RBIs and a run scored in the No. 4 spot in the order against St. Louis. Manager David Ross said, “He’s a really good player. You can see why he’s a past MVP. He’s a textbook baseball player and it’s fun to be around him, especially when he’s playing like this, he’s the complete package,” Ross said of Bellinger.
In 17 games in July, Bellinger is batting 4-for-6 with 30 doubles (in 65 at-bats), six home runs, 15 RBIs and a 1.293 OPS. “Through 17 games, Bellinger is on pace for his second-best monthly performance of his career,” MLB.com wrote.
As one of the most sought-after hitters on the trade market, Bellinger was asked if he had communicated with the team about a trade, and he said, “Absolutely. We’ve had a really open dialogue. Like I said, I’m thinking about what can happen and what can’t happen. So we have open communication. I just want to focus on what I can control, that’s all.”