Insider Says Cubs Have ‘Sleeper’ Competition For Free-Agent Slugger

Just about everyone in the Windy City wants free-agent slugger Cody Bellinger back. The Chicago Cubs, to this point, have played it relatively cool when it comes to their pursuit. Some might call it passive.

Players have made it a point to say how much they want Bellinger back. Shortstop Dansby Swanson made it a point to tell Cubs fans at Cubs Convention how much he wanted Bellinger back.

Many insiders believe that Bellinger will, ultimately end up with the Cubs. And there are good reasons for him to return, not the least of which is how Bellinger resurrected his career with the Cubs in 2023.

Playing on a one-year deal with an option, Bellinger erased two injury-marred seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and 2022.

Bellinger, who was named a Silver Slugger, slashed .307/.356/.525/.881 in 130 games with 26 home runs and 97 RBI in 2023, despite missing a month with an injury. He was also named the NL Comeback Player of the Year.

But Bellinger returning to Chicago isn’t a done deal until it is. Until that happens, there will be competition. And, according to one insider, there’s a “sleeper” emerging.

In his Sunday notes column, USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale wrote that the Philadelphia Phillies could be a “sleeper” for two notable free agents that are left on the market, and Bellinger was one of them. The other was free-agent left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery.

The Philadelphia Phillies have made one big move this offseason, and that was retaining their own free-agent pitcher, Aaron Nola, on a seven-year, $172 million deal.

Signing Bellinger might require more money than it took to sign Nola, but the Phillies have room. Assuming Kyle Schwarber continues in a full-time DH role, the Phillies’ outfield looks like Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas and Nick Castellanos. Bryce Harper is now a first baseman.

Nightengale cautioned that the Phillies would wait until the price dropped. But given how long it has taken for Bellinger to get a deal, who knows what might happen in the next couple of weeks?

If Bellinger is intent on having a deal before spring training, that deal would have to come soon.

The Cubs, like the rest of baseball, are on the clock.