The Cubs are “determined” to trade one of first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger or outfielder Seiya Suzuki, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post, with the idea of then redirecting their cost savings to upgrade other parts of the roster. Per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score, the Cubs have some interest in catchers Carson Kelly and Danny Jansen as well as relievers Andrew Chafin and Kirby Yates.
The Cubs have been seen as a logical candidate to move an outfielder due to having a fairly crowded mix on the grass. Pete Crow-Armstrong seemingly established himself as a viable glove-first center fielder this year, with the potential for huge value if his offense takes a step forward. For the corner spots, the Cubs have Bellinger, Suzuki and Ian Happ. Bellinger can also play some first base but Michael Busch took that position and ran with it this year.
There are also some other options lurking just below those established big leaguers. Alexander Canario has just 45 major league plate appearances but he has always hit well in Triple-A and is now out of options. Kevin Alcántara and Owen Caissie are both on the 40-man roster and consensus top 100 prospects in the league. Alcántara made a brief MLB debut in 2024 while Caissie spent the whole season in Triple-A and played well, so both are arguably ready for some proper big league playing time. Even with the designated hitter spot open, that’s more guys than the Cubs have spots.
But untangling the knot comes with complications. The prospects and Crow-Armstrong are cheap and controllable, so the the Cubs probably view them as part of the long-term solution, especially since the Happ/Bellinger/Suzuki trio are all slated for free agency after 2026, with Bellinger able to opt out of his deal after 2025. But Happ and Suzuki have no-trade clauses, making it difficult to move them.
Bellinger is also difficult to trade on account of that opt-out. For the Cubs or an acquiring club, the best case scenario is that he plays well in 2025 and leaves, but even that wouldn’t be cheap. He’s going to make $27.5MM in 2025 and then gets to choose between a $5MM buyout and $25MM salary in 2026. That means that even a one-and-done from Bellinger in 2025 will cost $32.5MM. Teams may have some willingness to take a chance on Bellinger bouncing back from a middling 2024 campaign, but the downside is that he doesn’t quite get back into form and sticks around for 2026. In that scenario, the acquiring team would be on the hook for $52.5MM over two years for a struggling player.
At this point, it’s anyone’s guess which version of Bellinger is going to show up next year, given his up-and-down career. He won an MVP award earlier in his career but then suffered through a few miserable seasons, perhaps struggling to get healthy after a notable shoulder surgery. He bounced back with the Cubs in 2023, hitting 26 home runs, slashing .307/.356/.525 and stealing 20 bases. FanGraphs credited him with 4.4 wins above replacement in 130 games. He played the same number of games in 2024 but with his fWAR cut in half to 2.2. His home run tally dropped to 18, he stole nine bases and he played less time in center field as Crow-Armstrong took over that spot.
Lining up with another club on a trade could be difficult, but it’s still a possibility. At the start of the offseason, we put Bellinger on our list of likely trade candidates, though with a spot near the bottom as a reflection of the complications. It was reported this week that the Yankees, Mariners and Astros have checked in about him.
With Suzuki, this is the first suggestion that he is available, and he will surely draw interest. In his 381 major league games thus far, he has hit 55 home runs and drawn walks at a 10.2% clip. His .278/.354/.470 batting line translates to a 129 wRC+ and he has seemingly been getting better over time. His home run total has gone from 14 to 20 and then 21 in his three seasons, with his walk rate climbing year-over-year from 9.4% to 10.1% and then 10.8%. As such, his wRC+ has gone from 118 in his rookie season to 128 and then 138.
Suzuki isn’t considered a strong defender, with the advanced metrics mixed on exactly where to rank him. He has -5 Outs Above Average to this point but Defensive Runs Saved has him at league average overall, and with apparent improvements. He had -4 DRS in his rookie season and then +2 in each of the subsequent campaigns to get back to par overall.
Regardless, the bat should make him appealing and his contract isn’t onerous. He is going to make $18MM in each of the next two years, his age-30 and -31 campaigns, for a total guarantee of $36MM. Comparable free agents are likely to earn far more than that on the open market. MLBTR predicted that Anthony Santander could secure a contract of $80MM over four years, with guys like Teoscar Hernández, Jurickson Profar and Tyler O’Neill projected for the $40-60MM range.
As mentioned, Suzuki has a full no-trade clause. That naturally complicates the possibility of a trade, as the Cubs would be limited in their discussions to whatever clubs Suzuki would be willing to join and it’s unknown what his preferences are or might be. The Cubs will presumably have discussions with Suzuki and various suitors to see what possibilities exist for them. If a deal can come together, it would open up some playing time for their prospects while freeing up some cash for other pursuits.
It doesn’t appear the budget is especially tight right now. RosterResource has the Cubs projected for a $185MM payroll, well below last year’s Opening Day mark of $214MM, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Perhaps the Cubs are planning to keep spending a bit tight this offseason, as many predicted them to pursue a notable rotation upgrade such as Corbin Burnes or Max Fried. But they recently agreed to a two-year, $29MM deal with Matthew Boyd, a notable expense but far less than what Burnes or Fried are expected to earn.
The club is known to be looking for help behind the plate and Kelly and Jansen are two of the better names available in free agency. Kelly has generally paired some solid defense with passable offense in his career. Though his bat has gone up and down a bit, he has a .224/.307/.373 batting line in his career for a wRC+ of 85. Jansen, on the other hand, had a long stretch as a great hitter but is coming into free agency on a down note. He hit .237/.317/.487 for a wRC+ of 121 from 2021 to 2023 and got out to a roaring start in 2024 as well but then slashed .158/.274/.243 for a wRC+ of 53 after the month of May.
MLBTR predicted a two-year, $20MM guarantee for Jansen as part of our Top 50 free agents list, with Kelly in the honorable mention section. Either should easily fit into Chicago’s budget with or without an outfield trade.
Chafin and Yates both align with the Cubs and their aversion to notable deals for relievers, as shown in MLBTR’s Contract Tracker. Since Jed Hoyer took over as president of baseball operations, the club has never given a multi-year deal to a free agent reliever. Last year’s $9MM one-year deal for Héctor Neris was the first time Hoyer went beyond $5MM for a bullpen signing.
Yates just wrapped up a tremendous season, tossing 61 2/3 innings with a 1.17 earned run average and 35.9% strikeout rate. But since he’s turning 38 years old in March and has a notable injury history, he will likely be limited to a one-year deal. MLBTR’s $14MM projection would be new territory for Hoyer, though only slightly. Chafin has been a solid bullpen lefty for over a decade, with a 3.42 ERA in 601 appearances. His last two trips to free agency have resulted in one-year deals of $6.3MM and then $4.8MM.
Why would the Cubs be looking to trade their best hitter and ruin all the efforts they’ve made to be a landing spot for Japanese players? Bellinger makes sense, there’s no way they are actually trying to move Suzuki unless we’re going back into a rebuild.
Sounds like the Cubs are lowering payroll. It might not come as such a surprise if this site offered unbiased Cubs coverage.
Blackpink: You want to see unbiased coverage? Read the Chicago newspapers. When Bill Veeck owned the team he kept track of the coverage given to both teams. He found, not surprisingly, that the cubs received twice the coverage the Sox did. That trend continues today. ESPN radio, the station that carries Sox games, never talk about the Sox. The Score, which carries cubs games, not only talk about the Sox, they also have Steve Stone, a Sox TV broadcaster, on during the season.
Sox got at least a little boost in coverage for their record setting number of losses. Other than that, why would they interest a national audience?
Natural: LOCAL ESPN /the Score radio.
Maybe it’s because for every Sox that ever lived there 100 Cubs fans.
“Oh no!!!!!” I’ll take famous intelligent things Ron Santo said for $200, Alex.
Score also have several of their own talent on the airwaves of the New CHSN joint venture sports network of the Sox, Bulls and Bkackhawks. Very telling that insightful on air talent like Mully and Haugh on the Score, the Cubs flagship radio station, choose to work for CHSN rather than the Cub owned Marquee network which is run like Pravda by forbidding post game commentary critical of Cub leadership. Cub PR famously stopped a live postgame feed, forcing the show to commercial break and then having the panelists rerecord the segment. Little wonder Marquee runs infomercials and fishing shows in the off-season.
There 100 Cub fans? Quite the wordsmith you are. Santo is that you?
lol
This is Jed’s contract year. And tho they should’ve been in on Soto, they’re not cutting payroll. And I think the Seiya rumor is BS. These “insiders” can literally say anything and when it doesn’t happen they can claim it’s what they heard from a “reliable” source. No accountability.
This rumor, I think, has more to do with driving up the urgency on Soto. Teams that lose out on him will be driven to make some kind of move. Belli makes sense to move, Yankees probably, but Suzuki doesn’t. The Cubs open in Japan in 2025 and have been marketing him and Shota in their TV commercials since Aug ’24. The Cubs want to continue the Japan to MLB pipeline. I don’t see any way he’s moved this offseason.
Trading Seiya makes no sense. And honestly, who would they find for the same money to replace Bellinger? None of this makes sense.
Suzuki isn’t that good compared to that contract I can see why especially since he’s getting older
sad: Newborn babies are getting older. But I get what you mean.
Wait, and so’s our cat.
@sad
Sad, you worry more about money over production. Dude strikes out too much but had a nice .850 + OPS. A .280+/.360+ BAT/OBP is almost elite by today’s standard. he’s only owed 2/$38. Save from Oakland, Marlins, and maybe Pittsburgh scry team can afford that.
Scry teams? Like the Philly team? Always consider them one of the scariest. Every time you sit in that park the fans are shoutingmg “boo” Good natured fans of the Halloween season it would seem.
I think it’s to clear payroll more than anything. Suzuki is owed $38 million over the next two seasons. Bellinger is owed 27.5 next season with a $25 million dollar player option which whether he exercises it is largely dependent on what kind of season he has. They will likely get a better return for Suzuki than Bellinger but i can also see Bellinger’s market developing after Juan Soto is off the board
The opt out puts Bellinger’s contract essentially underwater. And not just that. As many people pointed out when he was signed, his “comeback” season in 2023 was all smoke and mirrors. With a terrible barrel rate and exit velo, he lived off of a highly unusual two strike contact rate and off-the-charts HR/hard-hit rate. Teams know that stuff, which is why the Cubs got him on a short term deal in the first place. He’s also a poor outfielder now.
They’ll have to add a significant prospect or pay his salary WAY down to have a chance to move him.
Seamholic: If I was Hoyer, I would wait til the summer deadline before trading bellinger. He’s an unknown right now, but if he comes back, then trade him. If not, either try to trade him and eat some of his contract, or be stuck with him the next two seasons.
Curious to know from the eye test of viewers of many CUB games – Is Bellinger OF defense fallen in the last few years?
Older/ Newer stats (like WAR etc.) tell one story
What about his 1B defense? has he lost a lot of range?
Bellinger is still a solid defender in CF. I don’t think he’s fallen off. His gold glove win was in Rzf and he plus at 1B.
It has NOT fallen. But PCA in cf is far superior.
@Rsox: it’s not money – Ricketts can afford it. It’s much more about available talent that is MLB Ready. Shaw, Alcantara and Caissie are ready to advance to Chicago.
I was in favor of keeping Belli – and it wouldn’t disappoint me if they did. But between Belli, Seiya and Hoerner or Happ – I now believe two of them should be traded to make room for giving playing time to the young players.
They could trade Happ too. Great guy with his sensitive socially responsible connect roaster coffee brand, soft spoken (no, he’s not labeled lazy as he’s not Latino), great guy to have around. But highly overrated with his Gold Gloves, sort of like the Derek Jeter award, when the reality is he’s a defensive liability especially when misplaced at CF
There may not be a taker for Bellinger. Plus, Suzuki may actually bring something halfway decent back in a trade, while Bellinger would be more of a salary dump.
Oh there are takers for Bellinger. It just depends on how much money the Cubs are willing to eat.
Agreed kcmark. However I am a Reds fan and I got to thinking just for laughs and giggles a trade for Bellinger. I know it’s an inter divisional trade but how about say for Jeimer Candelario who plays 1B/3B, is a good bounce back candidate, former Cub and contract is for 25/26 at for total of 27M? Thats half of Bellingers two year total salary. Reds can throw in a middling minor leaguer if need be. Reds need a power hitting 1B/OF. Cubs get something, not just a salary dump. Probably never will happen but found it interesting.
That’s ridiculous. I think you need to go outside for a walk. Like say 28 steps?
Hey Unclemike.
Thanks for your friendly and well thought out response. Sure would hate to be your nephew.
Anytime. You need help.
Cubs just traded for Busch and Paredes last season, they are likely looking for pitching if it isn’t a superstar.
@redsorbust. Cubs need Candelario like a migraine headache.
Market him as a 1B to SF. They have a hard time signing hitters of bellingers power lever and he would be an upgrade over wade or Flores in my opinion. What they could get back depends on what they pay down but it opens a roster spot for the Chicago youth and if they are willing to take A or early AA talent it likely is doable. They could likely get Matos too but it sounds like they have enough outfielders
I don’t think the path to rebuilding goes through a 30yo outfielder with limited defense and two years left. If they do trade Suzuki, he’d be replaced in the OF by Bellinger, who, believe it or not, is a former MVP.
So’s Kris Bryant and Jose Abreu.
It makes sense to evaluate both options. I am sure they prefer to trade Bellinger. That just seems unlikely, unless they eat a substantial amount of his contract.
With Suzuki, you potentially clear some payroll and bring back some players to address other needs.. Suzuki is a nice player but the Cubs have a ton of OF options.
People dramatically don’t understand that Japanese players are independent of each other. Cubs have signed Suzuki, Imanaga, and Fukudome, off the top of my head. If one player that is Japanese gets traded (and with a full NTC which means it would be a trade he is cool with) it doesn’t mean anything for their ability to sign future Japanese players. Specifically when you have former players (Darvish) speaking highly about the Cubs organization to players making the jump to the MLB.
In regard to why, I think the Cubs are really high on their outfield prospects and view them as log jammed. They see that their minor league teams are strongest in the outfield and not as deep elsewhere. They are going to have to pay for those other positions, so they need the outfield to be the lower contract guys on rookie deals. Personally, I agree that I would move Bellinger before Suzuki, but I think it would make sense for the team to move both. (They could still start an outfield of Happ, PCA, Alcantara/Canario which wouldn’t be atrocious). As long as Hoyer actually spends that extra money wisely, which has been his biggest struggle thus far.
This. The idea that the Cubs can’t trade a Japanese player because it will cause them to lose leverage for other Japanese players is best case scenario just naive. Worst case scenario racist. For all we know he’d be totally fine being traded.
“Racist”. What the hell are you talking about ?
I’m not saying all Japanese players are connected and Suzuki having to wave the NTC does change the situation. But as you mentioned with Darvish, players coming from leagues in other countries do look to other players who have already transitioned to the MLB for at least some level of advice or opinion on teams/cities/etc. That goes for anyone, not just players coming over from NPB. How many players are being posted this year, 3? When you have that small of a pool and are trying to single yourself out from 29 other teams, any advantage is important. So, sure, it may not mean anything affect anything. But if Suzuki felt bad about the situation, it certainly could. And being fine with being traded doesn’t mean everything is great, some players can be upset by even being approached about waving their NTC.
The Cubs traded Darvish and he is telling people how great the Cubs organization is. I’m sorry mate, but what you’re saying just factually isn’t the case here.
Eh, fair point.
“… players coming from leagues in other countries do look to other players who have already transitioned to the MLB for at least some level of advice or opinion on teams/cities/etc….”
Why would you think these “other players” have to be the same race or nationality?
Ffs, you’re just determined to read racism into this aren’t you? Where did I say they have to be the same race or nationality? Neither of those even came to my mind, but they clearly come to yours, so much that you see it even when it’s not there. What does that say?
Seamaholic seems to have mush for brains. He may need to wear a helmet to go outside. Of course a Japanese player is going to prefer going to a team with other Japanese players. The language barrier alone would make having a peer you can speak to very appealing. Money is going to be the most important but having people on your team that speak your language would be a benefit. Also cities with large Japanese communities. There is a reason Seattle and LA sign a ton of NPB players. I imagine Chicago has a good sized community as well.
Him being their best hitter is exactly why the team isn’t going anywhere..
Baseballallyearclub: While the cubs and Mets have signed Japanese players recently, there still seems to be a preference for the west coast. I guess because it’s closer to Japan, but whichever coast, you still have to take a plane so that’s kind of silly. I don’t think it would be a surprise to anyone if a west coast team signs Sasaki. Personally, I’d like to see him go to the Mariners. Ichiro should try to convince him it’s a good place to play.
They still have a Japanese connection with Imanaga. Suzuki, I can only guess it’s a salary dump. I don’t think it’s a full rebuild, more like their prospects seem ready enough to give them affordable shots at the big league level.
It’s probably only if they can’t move Belli, which is likely since Belli is very overpaid. Need to make room for a power hitter someplace on the roster.
Cubs should keep both players, especially Suzuki. After Soto signs, maybe there is a team that will take Belli’s contract for a Cubs’ paydown of maybe as little as $5 million, sending an irrelevant player back in return.
I do see why there are some rumors of Belli for Jordan Montgomery or Marcus Stroman. That saves a little money, but I would rather keep Belli. You need four outfielders, a DH and a 1B. Plenty of at-bats for Busch, Belli, Happ, Suzuki and PCA.
This rumor is about as real as Cookie Monster and Oscar The Grouch. The Cubs are certainly shopping Bellinger, and certainly during those conversations more than one team says “what about Suzuki?”. Of course Jed and Carter will listen, but between Suzuki’s no-trade and the loss in value, dealing Suzuki makes no sense.
The exception would be if Suzuki went to the Cubs and said “I want out of here”, and gave them a fairly broad list of teams. That however, would be very counter to his culture norms, for Suzuki. It’s very unlikely.
Cookie Monster, Oscar the Grouch. Love it. 5 star comment, 5 star rating on Uber! The friendly confines of Wrigley are kind of like Sesame street. Where first time baseball fans learn the As, Bs, and Cs of the game.
Bellinger to Phillies for couple mid prospects, maybe Nori and Kemp, with Cubs covering half his salary.
Cubs don’t need prospects
Youre not gonna get anything of value back except cap room
That or youre doing bad contract for bad contract
I think a 3 team deal makes sense or two individual trades
Padres Cubs
Cubs Mariners
Padres get Bellinger and all his salary next 2 years (52 mill)
Cubs get Cronenworth to play 2B and cash to drop his contract value
Mariners get Hoener to play 2B
Padres put Bellinger at 1B which is a more natural fit than Cronenworth Bogaerts to 2B and bring back Kim or go sign a the new Kim from KBO
Cubs put Cronenworth at 2B clearing two contracts off the books
Mariners get their 2B in Hoener
Fill in whatever else is needed so each team feels like they won the trade.
That would be an atrocious trade for the Cubs. They would be giving up Hoerner and Bellinger and getting Cronenworth? The Cubs would never even slightly entertain that idea. Why are the Mariners included in this deal anyway?
Hoerner’s contract isn’t the reason they want to move him, they are willing to move him because he does bring in a good amount of value and they must not view him as someone they are going to re-sign.
What does SEA give up?
The Padres are looking to cut salary, not add $16 million per year to help out the Cubs.
Prospects
“Fill in whatever else is needed so each team feels like they won the trade”
Yeah, clearing 25 mill this year and 27 mill next year in Bellinger while getting an immediate replacement at a reduced cost in Cronenworth and prospects for Hoener is an awful idea, especially on an article about cutting salary for the cubs Totally.
2 years 52 mill for Bellinger
vs
7 years 72 mill for Cronenworth
They take on short term increase for long term relief.
Underwater for underwater. I guess that works. Not entirely sure why the Padres would be interested as they’re also trying to clear long-term salary.
Seattle gets to pay Bellinger’s Padres salary down to about the $2-$3 Million the Pads could actually afford to pay him. Only way that works, which means it doesn’t.
Bellinger is owed
27. mill for 2025
25.5 for 2026
Total: 52.5 mill
Cronenworth is owed
11.2 for 2025
12.2 for 2026
12.2 for 2027
12.2 for 2028
12.2 for 2029
12.2 for 2030
Tota: 72.2 mill
Padres take on an extra 16 mill in 2025 and 13 mill for 2026, 2 year 29 mill, but clear 48.2 mill from 2027-2030. In the end they wind up saving 19 mill total.
3-team trades often require more than 1 of the 3 teams to be happy about it.
Tons of upset fans like yourself do show up though when a 3 team trade is mentioned, though 3 team trades never seem to work out like those upset fans seem to think they should.
Incorrect.
Padres currently sit at 244 mill projected payroll for 2025.
Trading cronenworths 11.2 mill contract and taking back Bellingers puts them at 250 mill right below the threshold.
Not ideal. But do able without going on CBT threshold.
I like that attempting rational arguments as to why a thing you propose probably won’t happen is now an “upset fan”.
I love this trade as a Seattle fan
2025 CBT threshold around 241mil according to current CBA. So 250mil is right above, not right below threshold.
Huh thought it was 251 mill reported somewhere.
I like how your opposition to it is “youre not valuing my teams players enough even though the contracts arent good, I think they are worth more than you’re suggesting”
Youre entitled to that opinion and feeling about them being worth more in your mind. However wrong it is. Esp on an article titled, “Cubs Reportedly “Determined” To Trade Seiya Suzuki Or Cody Bellinger.” Clubs usually arent “determined” to trade players with high value, they usually have a market for their services.
my opposition to it is as a somewhat informed padres fan. No emotions here, just a perceived likelihood that it doesn’t happen based on what little i know and the reasons why. Peace be with you and yours, Harry.
Harrison- Tis the season for people to assume everyone wants their trash and you will give up your best players to acquire said trash. Everybody bashes Bellinger but wants him that is if the Cubs will pay him to play for your team which kind of defeats the whole purpose. Like the dude who actually thought the Cubs would take Candelario back after they overpaid him. I laughed so hard I cried.
That doesn’t make sense for any of the teams.
Bellinger is a 2.2 WAR player and is guaranteed $32.5 million for 2025 or $52.5 million for 2 years if he is terrible in 2025. As the article said, no team is going to want to take on his salary.
Cubs have Hoerner at 2B who is injured, will miss the beginning of 2025, and makes $23.5 million over the next 2 years. Hoyer has said that he will miss the Tokyo Series but otherwise said it’s too early to say beyond that. If he is healthy he is the player that has had the best results the last 2 seasons.
Cronenworth is a 2B that has struggled when being forced to play 1B putting up a 2 WAR in 2024, the 1st year of a team friendly extension he signed after 4.8 and 3.9 WAR seasons in 2021 & 2022.
So you have 2 players who have actual value in Hoerner and Cronenworth and one in Bellinger who is hideously upside down.
With Kim injured and not ready until June or July and leaving in free agency the Padres are likely to move Cronenworth back to 2B and Arraez to 1B, so that part would not be a fit.
If Bellinger is moved the Cubs are going to have to eat a minimum of a a third of his guarantee. He is also going to need to be an OF on his new team. He provides little value at 1B unless he hits for power. That power is gone.
Haven’t seen anywhere that Hoerner will miss time in 25. In fact, The Cubs haven’t said a single thing about it yet.
Hoyer said that he would miss the Tokyo Series vs the Dodgers in mid-March. The flexor tendon surgery he had in mid-October has taken 6 months for other position players to recover from. That puts a potential return date mid-April.
It really doesn’t matter anyway. Hoerner is probably the easiest player on the team to replace in house.. The Cubs, Even if they were going to move him won’t do it until he’s healthy.
If bellinger is your “best player” that really explains the cubs 2024 season.
I actually didn’t include what Hoener would fetch so idk how you assume I’m giving the cubs trash for hoener when I didn’t mentioned his price tag. Just that Bellinger is a prime bad contract for bad contract swap candidate.
But I remember seeing you saying white Sox shouldn’t take a chance on Joey Bart back when giants released him cause they were set at catcher. Your talent evaluation skills are notoriously missing it seems.
Padres that for less than .5 WAR improvement? Plus they lose their only option at 2B? Kim is a free agent and won’t return until June or July.
Cubs lose two players for just one 2B and your nebulous prospects?
Seam, only Bellinger is underwater.
I wasn’t even talking to you Butker. I was talking to the other guy. And the Sox are pretty solid at C with Salas and Hackenburg. and they still have Korey Lee.
Cronenworth doesn’t fill a need. He creates another obstacle for the prospects.
It isn’t an article about cutting salary, it is about re-allocating salary. The Cubs are going to want pieces they can use right now. It would be more likely they send him out for someone that helps the team now. I think ESPN did an article saying that the Mariners could be a partner in a three team with the Phillies where part of what moves around is the Cubs getting Castillo. That seems much more plausible.
Cronenworth plays 2B, Swanson is already locked in at short. Part of why they are fine moving on from Nico is they want to move Shaw up to play 2nd. Bringing in Cronenworth, on a 7 year deal, would be completely counterintuitive to what the Cubs are looking to do.
Good deal for the Padres, Great deal for the Mariners, Horrible deal for the Cubs.
If you change it to Castillo going to the Cubs from the Mariners, and Suarez and Estrada or something. Then maybe the Cubs would start to listen. I don’t think that would make sense from the Padres stand point, they don’t seem to be great matches.
Harrison – but they still need LF and SS and C and at least 1 SP.
SD is not swapping Cro for Belli and moving closer to the CBT with those holes still.
The Padres are already right at the salary cap. They need to re-sign Profar and sign a Starting Pitcher or 2. More money in later years doesn’t help them. Neither does losing their starting 2B, who they have no replacement for.
The CBT is set at $241 million for 2025, and you say that the Padres are currently at $244 million. Do you see the problem?
MLB radio was just saying they are trying to get down to 180-190 area. Not sure how that would work.
@Harrisbunk. LOL, everyone in baseball knows Cronenworth contract is much worse than Bellingers. Plus the Cubs have no use or spot or reason to want him, he’s useless. Why would you even post some drivel like that?
Cro’s debut was in 2020 so, using a 5 year period, Cro has had a lot more value than Belli.
@longtime. Then keep ‘Cro’. LOL, he’s useless. Especially useless to the Cubs.
$27M minus $11.2M equals $15.8M, plus $244M, puts the Padres at $259.8M not $250M.
Dog – thank you, I will gladly do so and getting similar output at less than half the AAV.
I never suggested the trade in the first place.
Cro will never approach MVP but Belli will never again either.
The play is Arraez, Suarez, Morejon and a top 10 pitching prospect for Suzuki.
Definitely! You get Hoerner and in return you give up no one thanks Cubs and Padres.
Fan – Good luck with that. I sure hope Preller thinks the same way.
I think Aaraez and Suarez may be available in the right deal though.
Come on Padres don’t you want to be the Cubs friend?
That’s a lot of numbers, your wrist tired from all the er, typing.
Harry, read an interesting 3 team trade you would like on Sporting News.
Mariners get Cronenworth, Brandon Valenzuela, Cam Smith, Moises Ballesteros, and Benjamin Cowles.
Padres get Cal Raleigh and Cody Bellinger and pay his entire salary.
Cubs get salary relief, Randy Vasquez, Mitch Garver, and Ryan Bliss.
As usual for them it’s not realistic, but thought you would like it.
Blackpink in the area
Cubs don’t need prospects
===========================
Every team in the history of baseball needs prospects.
Even if you assume an unlikely 50% success rate, you still need 52 good prospects.
The Cubs need prospects less than just about any team in baseball.
Is that better?
No matter what they do, this team lacks the talent required to make the playoffs.
Lovable losers!
they blew 26 saves last year, if they had even an ‘average’ closer they wouldve made the playoffs last year
Exactly. Front line starter, bullpen, prospects coming up. The cubs would be stupid to go into the season relying 1/3 of their offense on Caissie, PCA, and Shaw. Mix them in with the proven veterans and shore up that rotation. Hendricks fist 10-12 starts last year were an auto loss. Neris and Alozay were atrocious. League average 5th starter and closer and the cubs are easily in the playoffs. Happ, bellinger and hoerners contracts are falling off soon. They are 40 million under the cap. 55 million before the Boyd signing. They could have gotten an ace and the top bullpen arm on the market and had money to spare. Hoyer is always trying to be smarter than everyone instead of just signing proven players. I hope Boyd hits and he’s a stud but these hope and pray signings have to stop. You have a .500 team it’s time to get over the hump.
Pretty obviously the best team in the division with the Brewers losing their best player and the Cards resetting. Unless the Pirates blow up.
Sleeping on the Reds, Seamer? Love their core and expect them to be much better… some chips have to fall in the Offseason here but it still feels like anybody can win the Central in ’25.
Not sold on the Reds. I think they have a major position player problem after EDLC. Don’t count on McLain coming back the same as he was in 2023.
And DeLa Cruz had more fielding errors than any other player in MLB last season.
Cubs are always the best team in the division. They just find ways to not win it.
Seamholic: Obvious to who? The Brewers ran away with the division again despite a new manager and their top two pitchers gone and rehabbing from tjs.
“Pretty obviously the best team in the division with the Brewers losing their best player and the Cards resetting.”
Seamaholic;
The Brewers best player last year started in RF and then moved to LF when the LF got hurt. He’s 20 years-old and
on his way to being a true superstar. If the guy played for
a large market team you’d know his name.
And position-player wise, the catcher was also better….young and will continue to get better.
Pretty sure his name sounds like a Breakfast cereal.
Misinformed take to be sure.
Nah not necessarily lovable losers, they’re poised to win, they really are (they really are). May just have to wait a bit , uh – 108 years
A month ago this site was talking about how the Cubs had 60 million to spend this offseason. Predicted to sign Max Fried by most of the writers along with a good catcher and pen help.
Still very much can.
You think that happens?
I bet it doesn’t…..
I’ll bet big money they’ll sign Jansen or Kelly plus one or two of the better relievers on the market. Might not add up to $60m this year, but they’ll still have ammo left in February if someone’s left hanging on the board. That’s really all they need. That farm is absolutely stacked, and they can also use it to acquire serious talent with trades. I’d put them front and center in the Crochet sweepstakes.
Blackpink: Agree. Like Steve (?) said in the chat, most people thought the cubs would be more aggressive going after FA. But, as he said, they’re a big city team operating like a little one. My cub fan friends are not happy with Hoyer.
People are in love with Crochet… I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t get hurt next year or is a bust. People take half a year and think that’s enough. Didn’t even finish pitching much late or strong. No real track record to speak of till recently
This site has a very long history of pretending the Cubs are going to spend lots of money and then that not happening.
And your comments are repetitive and short sighted. Stick to your Cardinals.
Seamaholic: Crochet to the cubs? Gut-punch!
Except for the freakish 200+ KS in 140 innings you’ve got a point there- no real track record to speak of
Or a big grown adult acting like a little boy. Maw! Meatloaf!
Maybe they meant the Cubs were going for Fried like that crafty Uber eats ad w the stoner Matthew Machonhey. Cubs are getting Fried: Fried Rice.
They probably trading Cody
Seattle checking in? S/b imo
Loser’s mindset to look to move Seiya. Embarrassing.
Trading Bellinger makes a lot of sense but trading Suzuki would be dumb.
Agreed.
Suzuki is at peak value right now. If the return is one of the Mariners SPs is that a loser’s mindset? Totally ignoring the fact that this is just misusing the phrase loser’s mindset to begin with.
Wasn’t the original rumor going into the offseason that they had 60 million to play with, would sign an Ace, and theoretically control the division?
Now the proposal is to flip their best hitter for something (you’re saying a SEA SP, but they’ve said the will not entertain trading any of their starters) and their big signing is (so far) Matthew Boyd who hasn’t topped 100 innings in living memory basically? Yeah, I feel comfortable saying “loser’s mindset” in this scenario.
I get trading Bellinger – sort of – but the Suzuki trade makes no sense for a team claiming to want to be competitive.
Joe: They aren’t getting one of the M’s SP.
But then you lose maybe the best bat in your lineup and suddenly your bats look average at best. And not sure the Mariners would want to trade a pitcher making chump change for a 20M hitter when they can sign a bat without losing a pitcher.
Seattles keeping their pitching.
@Wagner….Seiya is one of my faves. But his defense is shaky. He has no other versatility and there are plenty of DH options out there. His overall offensive numbers are solid, but hes had some LONG cold spells too. And he has suffered his fair share of missed games due to injury.
The hope then really has to be that Paredes bounces back. If they want to bet on that, I guess they can. After his poor second half, its a big risk for a team that wants to contend but hasn’t even reached the playoffs since 2020.
Since they have money, I still think it makes more sense to make Seiya a 4th of/primary DH. Stick Belli in RF or trade him if they want Caissie or Alcantara to be the guy.
Seiya’s a smart useful player. Woe to whoever trades him to free up payroll. Yay to whomever gets him.
Suzuki to the Yankees after Soto signs with the Mets this weekend.
metsin4: I bet you want good things for the nyy as much as I do, but I also think Soto will end up with the Mets simply because no one is going to outbid Cohen. As for the nyy, if they lose out on Soto, I think they’ll spread the money around. Bellinger at 1B, Adames at 3B, Chisholm at 2B. They would need to sign a CF and let judge go back to RF.
SO many better 1B out there.
Suzuki would be a better player for them then Bellinger.I just don’t want them to sign Alonso. That would hurt Mets fans more then you losing Soto to us for Yankee fans.
Bellinger and Hoerner to Yankees for Stroman, Everson Pereira and Trevino.
Translation:
Delusional Yankee fan believes that a fair deal for 2 of the Cubs best players would be a pitcher that wasn’t in their playoff rotation with an attitude problem, a prospect that has already failed multiple times who isnt even a prospect anymore and an old catcher that they don’t need anymore
Bellinger is a negative asset and Hoerner may never fully recover his arm strength and can only play 2B, where Jazz is going to be next year (and Nico only has two years left of control anyway). Cubs would be winning this trade bigly.
more delusion
Your not wrong
What an idiotic trade that would be for the Yankees.
Bronx: If the cubs wanted Stroman, they would’ve resigned him.
I like Stroman but I really dint want him on the Cubs again.
The odds of Stroman being a Cub again are infinitesimal. They don’t want him back and there was dancing in the streets when he opted out. Cashman blew it on that signing.
Cubs should be associated with every major free agent. Yet i feel boyd will be the only pitching rotation move.
Yeah because it’s 12/6 and spring training is tomorrow.
Suzuki to Cleveland makes sense, even they can afford $19 mil per season for the next two years. KC and Detroit should also be in this mix as should the Giants (i could see the Giants being in on Bellinger as well)
I can’t see Suzuki accepting a trade to Cleveland. Or KC. Or Detroit…..
Giants become an obvious landing spot if they miss out on the top tier FA.
Doval and Wade should get it done.
The problem is would Suzuki nix his no-trade clause in order to go to Cleveland? I tend to doubt he would.
You don’t think he would waive his no-trade clause to go to a team that played in the ALCS last season and is very likely to be a playoff caliber team again next season?
No I don’t think he would go to Cleveland. I think he would only approve a trade to a West Coast team or maybe NY. Rsox might be a possibility but I doubt it. The real question is what are you going to have to throw into the pot to make Suzuki want to go? That’s the million dollar question.
Yep. Purpose of no-trade clauses is not to pick a team, it’s to force a new team to add another year onto the contract or what have you.
First thing you have to do is ask him if he wants to go. Anybody here speak Japanese?
The Orioles are a better fit and he’d waive the NT to go there.
“Determined” but with a high asking price?
Would love Suzuki to Seattle
Yes. First team I thought of, too. He might well approve that deal and he’s perfect for Safeco.
That’s the wrong Suzuki. lol
M’s want/need infielders, not outfielders.
How about Bellinger for McNeil, Jonah Tong, and Mauricio? Bellinger can play CF and 1st Base which would be perfect with how the Mets are constructed right now. I don’t want Alonso back but they could make this trade and still keep Alonso and sign Soto
Thats seems like an overpay for the Mets, especially when they could get Bellinger by simply agreeing to pay all of his remaining salary
You all are so freakin’ confused about Bellinger’s value. He has none. He’s a negative, asset-wise (as opposed to player-wise). No way the Mets would consider that unless Chi is paying his salary way down AND adding a prospect.
You keep saying this throughout the thread, but we’ve seen no executives echo this point. His WAR did drop 2 points from last year (where he got MPV votes) but he was still positive. His contract isn’t an albatross, albeit high.
I’m not saying he is this incredibly value, but he does have value. And for your big market teams, the name value also helps with casual fans and to sell merchandise. He’s not bringing in a haul but there is a good chance that there is at least a team (someone left out from Soto) that would be willing to eat the contract as well as give up a middle prospect. Again, he got MVP votes just last year.
@baseballallyearclub13 I agree. If you look at someone like Brandon Nimmo, he gets paid almost as much as Bellinger does annually. Nimmo is a tier below Bellinger. Nimmo is overpaid and so is Bellinger however Bellinger has still been productive enough to justify his value. He is much better than any replacement level player in my opinion
It’s a very simple calculation, which teams do every day. He’s turning 30 next year, and his average fWAR in the past three years is 2.7. Given his place on the aging curve, he can be expected to produce about 4 wins over the next two years, for which he’s being paid $52m, or $13m per win. That doesn’t pencil out. It’s negative value. Best case is he has another “comeback” next year, maybe does 4 wins all in one season. But then he opts out and is gone. And the cherry on top is there are loads of better players on the free agent market at his positions.
He cannot be traded without the Cubs increasing his value by sending money or a prospect with him. A lot.
Bellinger’s 2.2 WAR is worth $19.8 million and he is guaranteed $32.5 million for 2025 and $52.5 million for 2 years. That’s way upside down. The Cubs will have to eat a significant portion of his contract that covers not just 2025, but the potential that he opts in to 2026.
I don’t think projecting bellinger as a 3+ WAR player for 2025 is unreasonable. 4.5 in 2023 and Wrigley was ranked 29th out 30 in park factors for hitting in 2024. It is usually right smack in the middle. It was a pitchers dream. Is the contract under Water? Yes. It’s not insanely underwater.
Seam
I think Belli and $5 mil can get a team to take him, with nothing of note going back, pure salary dump
They are trying to give him away and you want to overpay for him.
Pick two of Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo, and Reid Detmers then send us Belli and Cam Smith.
Part of the point of this would be to clear space in the OF so that would probably take Ward out of the discussion. Bellinger for Rengifo and Detmers? Not sure who the loser is (or the winner for that matter) in this deal
The goal is to acquire Cam Smith. Kid is a stud and will replace the Rendon albatross.
Nothing is replacing that mess. If I were the Angels i would just cut bait with Rendon and be done with it already
Agreed. He’s gone.
It’s time to find a productive replacement. Smith would be one.
The Cubs signed Bellinger to his contract. I can understand trying to trade him but the payroll hit is their own fault.
No it’s Hoyers fault. He couldn’t keep it in his pants the last few seasons even with a top 3 Farm System. Not to mention he hands out NMC’s like Chicklets.
Cody Bellinger brings Javier Baez level risk.
Bellinger was an overpay AT THE TIME. Opt outs should be banned. Terrible for fans. Contract structure should be maximized for fan benefit, not player benefit. Millionaires playing a children’s game.
Belly was an overpay, so was Suzuki, so was Swanson, so was Happ, so was Hoerner, so was Tallion, so was Smyley,.
Agreed on the opt outs. Personally I think no-trade clauses ought to be stopped as well because there is no upside for teams at all. And don’t say that teams don’t have to use them, because they do. Someone will offer it and then everyone will have to or not be able sign the guy. Competitive offers should only refer to money and years. There are lots of rules in place in all facets of life to protect people from themselves.
Can’t make rules that limit competition. That’s pretty basic to capitalism. It’s called “collusion” and is deeply frowned upon by the MLBPA.
But it not capitalism we are talking about, this is a league that is basically one company with 30 different branch offices. If it were capitalism, with enough capital, I could start a team right now and attempt to schedule games with others.
Leagues make rules to limit competition all the time. Every major sports league except MLB have salary caps. Even MLB’s luxury tax system limits competition to an extent. The draft compensation for free agents limits competition because it give a different penalty to different teams.
Things like opt outs and partial or full No trade clauses have great value to many players in terms of some control over their playing career. To some players it may be a deal breaker.
It is part of a negotiation.
It is some of the fruits of what Curt Flood fought for before
Free agency was allowed.
I’m not saying it is not good for the players. I am saying it is not good for the game.
Opt outs are good for the team imo. If the player wants out of the contract it’s because he’s given you more value than he’s being paid. With or without the opt out you’d still be stuck with an underperforming player
So how does that make an opt out “good” for the team? At best, it makes no difference at all.
You got excess value while you had the player without the future injury risk or usual bad end of a contract
Still not good for the team. Instead of extracting value for a positive asset, they lose him for nothing.
You already got your value. Use the money saved on him opting out to get your next value
You’re trying to have your cake and eat it too
That is ridiculous. It’s the same logic as leasing a car. Pay for something for a limited time and then you have nothing left at the end except the right to start all over again. But if you buy the car, you can trade it in and get some type of value when you are ready to move on.
That’s a team opt out, owner choosing to keep the car or not. If the car had the option, and it has excess value as you say, it would choose to leave. Starting with a new car is better than being broke down on the side of the road
Funny everyone is going nuts over these free agents then see teams trying to get rid of them the next season, only to try their luck with other ones.
Let’s not act like Bellinger didn’t have a market with his big season.
I hope the Padres are “determined” to steer clear of trade talks involving either of these guys…
Bellinger for Montero and Meyers?
Stros trying to cut salary not add it.
So much mediocrity.
Headline should read cubs determined to be mediocre
I could see the Orioles at least inquire about Suzuki. They’re looking for a right handed outfielder and he would definitely fit the bill. Although he doesn’t hit for the power that Santander does his 21 home runs last year would be a plus. Not to even mention his batting eye and average. Might be enough for the O’s to let Mayo go.
No way on Mayo, but yeah, it’s a good fit on paper.
BAL needs Pitching, Pitching and more Pitching
You’re not getting Mayo straight up for Suzuki. Orioles aren’t that crazy
Why Suzuki is better then Mayo?
Because Mayo is too fattening.
Philadelphia should be in or either of them.
Suzuki to the Padres is a no-brainer.
If they would take Walker and two mid-level prospects… Cody would do well in Philly. Savings of 7M.
Suzuki will get them a good to semi-good prospect or mid level player because he is cheaper than Bellinger at 38m for 2 years vs 52m – He is a somewhat predictable decent hitter who has increased in K rate every year..
I hope they don’t trade Suzuki, Bellinger I’d be okay with depending on what they do end up getting, but in all honesty this would be a step back for the Cubs. I think Bellinger ends up with a better season in 2025, and Suzuki is a good hitter. This team is already kind of mid, the last two seasons have been very mid…
How is Suzuki defensively?
He might be a good pick up for Atlanta. Put him in RF until Acuna is back and then move him to LF.
Yes, hopefully things finally click for Kelenic and his offense takes a huge step forward. He plays pretty solid defense and worst case he becomes the 4th outfielder. Harris has missed games too. So, if Kelenic does produce having 4 starting caliber outfielders could be a good thing.
Mediocre but passable.
He’s not bad in the outfield. RF at Wrigley can definitely be difficult to play. He has 5 Golden Gloves which is equivalent to MLB’s Gold Glove. He’s had some mishaps but all players do. He had one in Atlanta in 2923 that cost the Cubs the game and every casual fan started saying he’s terrible. A lot of talking heads did the same.
braves25: I’ll never understand why AA wanted Kelenic so bad.
I don’t either! I mean he has talent…you see it, but he isn’t consistent.
Keep Suzuki so we don’t ruin our japanese pitcher
This is that bs right there. Why would they want to even consider trading Seiya? They want to get worse? The Ricketts are so got damn cheap it’s unreal. I’m so glad Seiya has a full no trade clause. Discount Jed needs to be fired immediately if he trades Seiya.
Because they can get something back for him and are loaded with high level young OF depth.
They should be adding to payroll but reducing it. Trading Seiya or trying to would be a high mistake.
Spend money! If they were going after Soto, a Bellinger and Suzuki trade would make complete sense. What’s on the free agent market better than either of those guys? There are plenty of AB for the prospects. They just waived the entire bench.
Jed being Jed clueless asffff
The latest local buzz in Chicago has the Cubs and Mariners lining up with potential trades. They include Nico Hoerner and/or Cody Bellinger going to Seattle for a starting pitcher.
A Hoerner trade would presumably focus on a young controllable SP like Bryce Miller or Brian Woo and the Cubs balancing out a trade with an additional piece or prospect.
A Bellinger trade would basically be a contract swap for SP Luis Castillo.
Either scenario or a bigger blockbuster involving both Hoerner and Bellinger makes a lot of sense for the Cubs and Mariners.
There’s also been some buzz regarding 3B Isaac Paredes possibly going to the Mariners. Moving either 2B Nico Hoerner or Paredes would open up a position for Cubs #1 prospect Matt Shaw who could play 2B or 3B in 2025.
With the Cubs wealth of position prospects they are also a good fit in trade talks with the White Sox for young ace Garrett Crochet.
@aaron: Sox can keep Crochet, there’s no reason for the Cubs to ante up two top ten prospects for a possible sore armed pitcher. Talk to the Cubs in June or July.
AJ Preller’s amphetamine dealer just bought a tenth house.
Lots of teams would be interested in Suzuki. Top 25 hitter and defense not so detrimental it kills his value. 3.5 WAR player with potential for more perhaps. Seems like a better version of Bryan Reynolds when looking at the numbers.
Suzuki’s fav player is Trout (why he wears 27). Wouldn’t hate it, not sure it’s a great fit though
I was okay with letting Bellinger walk last year.
Why they agreed to the salary and contract last year to have him back is insane. No one else wanted him yet you give him a contract that u are stuck with if he has an offer year at crazy price but if he performed he leaves. Owners need to stop offering these contracts thst make no sense
Either way the return for moving Bellinger or Suzuki is not going to match their production this year.
If their main goal is to lower payroll some team could take advantage of them to pry away a good player like Suzuki who isn’t locked up late into his 30’s. Wonder what kind of assets they’d be looking to get back or if clearing out that salary is the important part.
Would it stand to reason that Seiya might be inclined to waive his NTC for a cash bonus and a chance to play for Icihro’s franchise? Another Suzuki might be great for fan interest
Buckle up. Gonna be a fun summer and October.
Poverty franchise.
“With Suzuki, this is the first suggestion that he is available.”
Which means it may not even be true.
I hope my team is all over trading for Suzuki. I live Teo; but at this price Seiya is a bargain and may well be more productive in the next 2-4 years.
Cubs will need to wait until after Soto and Santander get signed.
Nonsense. The Cubs will not move Seiya unless they are absolutely blown away with an offer.
Cronenworth, Suarez, and one of Brito, Waldron, or Vasquez for Suzuki.
To the Dodgers if they take back CT3 as part of the deal!
Wouldn’t mind seeing the Mets taking a flier on him and doubt it would cost much if taking on most/all of his salary. Solid defensive player at 1B or the OF and has shown MVP ability. Still young, has speed and power. Just needs a supporting cast. Cubs are still in a semi rebuild.
I’d prefer to see Suzuki in Queens, if the Mets are trading with the North Siders.
Of course, any trade will be contingent on what we accomplish with the Soto and Alonso negotiations.
If Christian Walker doesn’t re-up with the DBacks, then maybe a trade of Bellinger for Jordan Montgomery might not be a bad idea.
Do a “bad contract swap” with the Detroit Tigers.
Get Cubs playoffs and World Series Hero Jaiver Baez back.
Bellinger to the Tigers where rotate @ 1B/OF DH
Could be other players in the deal on both sides or just a 1 for 1 swap.
Baez has too many years left on his deal for that to work. Bad deal for bad deal would be Bellinger for Jordan Montgomery straight up.
The money these guys make, just to play a game is insane while clueless fans keep picking up the tab.
Mariners and Cubs make perfect sense.
Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver and some solid prospects for them both
Cubs need and only want pitching.
And Jerry DiPoto keeps on insisting he is not going to trade major league pitching.
A deal involving Harry Ford might be interesting, however.
Mitch Haniger and Mitch Garver and Mitch Trubisky. Then when Elton plays the ballpark in 26 he can sing his hit: “The Mitch, the Mitch. The Mitch is back!!”
I’ll bite. Intra-division trade to Pirates. Cubs kick in $12M and get back Luis Ortiz.
I’m not shocked honestly, Bellinger is ranging to be a fairly mid hitter and Seiya has a good bat but not great defense at position that needs a better bat to be efficient. I think Seiya should stay personally, Belli feels expendable simply because his offense is trending worse and we have better defensive options.
There is only one reason that Suzuki would waive his NTC without getting another year tacked onto his contract at about $20M, which is if the Dodgers wanted him to play LF.
There will be a home for Bellinger in a trade. All the losers in the Soto sweepstakes except Boston, plus the Giants and Mariners. The Cubs may have to kick in a bunch of the 2026 $$ of Bellinger doesn’t opt out (perhaps based on his total 2025 PA), and may not get much back besides a couple of low-A guys and some sort of AAA organizational filler.
If Jed trades Suzuki, his best hitter on a team that lacks a real offensive threat, in a lame duck season, he is an absolute terrible GM/POBO. Full stop.
I think the Dodgers should check in on Suzuki. If the Cubs are trying to shed payroll, it looks like a good fit. Two years of Suzuki, which would be much cheaper then what Teoscar Hernandez will get this this off-season.
Yeah he’d thrive in Dodgerland in a first class organization as opposed to the tight fisted Ricketts pottersville
Wait tell everyone you’re desperate to trade them. That’s some stone cold shrewd bargaining