Obsessive Cody Bellinger Trade Watch: The waiting game with the Yankees continues

The latest on Cody Bellinger is a similar story that has been spun for nearly a week, but it adds another voice to the pile.

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand was asked about the likelihood of a deal between the Cubs and Yankees for Bellinger, and he reiterated the apparent consensus and expectation that a deal will happen at some point:

“Bellinger is a perfect fit for the Yankees as he can play either left field or first base. The Cubs are looking at $27.5 million in 2025 and, if Bellinger exercises his player option, another $25 million in 2026 (or a $5 million buyout, bringing the 2025 commitment to would total $32.5 million).

While it’s unclear what exactly the Yankees would send back as part of a deal for Bellinger, the Cubs likely won’t ask for a pickup to get some of Bellinger’s salary off the payroll. The two teams appear to be in broad agreement on how much money Chicago would need to send to New York in a deal, but given that Bellinger appears to have no room in the Cubs’ lineup following the deal for Tucker, industry sources leave “I assume the Yankees and Cubs will come to an agreement at some point.”

The expectation is that a deal with the Yankees will happen at some point? Check. But everyone is waiting for the money decision? Also check.

Ultimately, it appears to be a case of waiting, with each side perhaps hoping that circumstances elsewhere in the offseason will force the other to relent.

For the Cubs, it appears they are in a position to pursue their next starting pitcher (Jesus Luzardo in the trade) without regard to whatever happens with Bellinger. The money saved from the deal would likely benefit the bullpen. So as long as the market doesn’t get too frothy, the Cubs can afford to keep waiting.

As for the Yankees, it seems like Bellinger is a prime fit for much of what else they want to accomplish this offseason. If he were in place, the Yankees would have coverage in the outfield AND at first base, which in turn could limit their pursuit at those two spots as well as elsewhere on the position side. It just seems more important for the Yankees to know as quickly as possible whether they have Bellinger than it is for the Cubs to know as quickly as possible whether they have the Bellinger money.