The Chicago Cubs are going to be an interesting team to watch for this winter.

Chicago finished tied for second place in the National League Central in 2024 with an 83-79 record in Craig Counsell’s first year as the team’s manager. The Cubs had higher hopes than just 83 wins and failed to make the postseason.

Now, the Cubs need to figure out a way to chart a path forward. That likely will involve spending heavily in free agency this winter. But it also could lead the Cubs to part ways with at least one star. ESPN’s Jeff Passan mentioned that star outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger surprisingly could be on the trade block.

“Nico Hoerner, second baseman: The Cubs don’t have to trade the 27-year-old this winter, but with Matt Shaw big-league-ready, they could use Hoerner to land a starting pitcher,” Passan said. “Hoerner’s ability to play shortstop as well is appealing to teams interested in middle-infield help. Another Cub available: Cody Bellinger, who opted into a $27.5 million salary for 2025.”

Bellinger is just 29 years old and won a Silver Slugger Award with Chicago in 2023. The 2024 campaign wasn’t as kind to him, but he still clubbed 18 home runs, drove in 78 runs, and slashed .266/.325/.426 across 130 games played.

That type of production certainly could help the Cubs in 2025, but his future with the team very much seems to be up in the air right now despite opting into his deal

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