Lineup Shake-up: Bellinger’s Decision Could Bring…
When examining the Chicago Cubs roster entering the 2025 season, there are few areas where the team has the flexibility to improve without moving current starters. There’s room to upgrade the bullpen and starting rotation due to inconsistencies, injuries, and the likely departure of Kyle Hendricks. There’s another glaring opportunity for improvement, but it leans on the possibility of a position opening up.
For reference, Ian Happ isn’t going anywhere. He and Dansby Swanson are finalists for the Gold Glove Award at their respective positions. Happ also had a huge offensive season while Swanson played incredible defense yet again. Both are locks.
Pete Crow-Armstrong took massive strides in center field and will surely be the team’s starter at the position come Opening Day. Isaac Paredes will be the Cubs’ third baseman and Nico Hoerner could be moved, but it is unlikely at this point. Michael Busch had a great rookie season and Miguel Amaya took steps forward at catcher. Although they’ll surely add catching depth, the position likely won’t see a massive upgrade.
Chicago Cubs Free Agency Outlook
Enter right field, seemingly the lone position the North Siders can upgrade. Seiya Suzuki is destined to be a designated hitter and Cody Bellinger is the wild card on the roster. Juan Soto and Anthony Santander are two of the top free agents set to hit the market, and both just happen to play right field.
For the Cubs to upgrade, Bellinger needs to opt out of his contract, something that now appears to be a possibility despite previous reports indicating he’d opt in.
After Matt Chapman signed a deal with the Giants similar deal to Bellinger’s Cubs pact, Chapman received a long-term deal in which San Francisco bought out his multiple options in the process.
Could Bellinger look for a similar deal this offseason? Chapman will earn roughly $25 million per season for the next six years. The third baseman is coming off an impressive season, smashing 39 doubles and 27 home runs while racking up a .791 OPS. As for Bellinger, the outfielder posted a pedestrian .751 OPS, down from his .881 mark in 2023. Unless a team is desperate for Bellinger’s ability to move around the field and drive in runs, he likely won’t get the same kind of money or term.
Other potential Cubs offseason targets include Teoscar Hernandez, Jurickson Profar, and Michael Conforto. Although Hernandez is the only option that’s closest to a guaranteed upgrade, Profar is an intriguing player if all else fails. Ideally, Hernandez, Santander, or Soto are the preferred names for the Cubs, but Profar is coming off a career-best season. Yes, there is risk, but it could be a fair consolation prize if the Cubs swing and miss on the big fish.
Regardless, options become available if Bellinger opts out. If the rumors are true, the Cubs have the opportunity to tangibly improve their lineup in free agency and take a step forward in 2025. Without a postseason appearance in 2025, Jed Hoyer could find himself without a job after his contract is up.
