With Spring Training games right around the corner, there are still plenty of elite players left on the free agency market that have been linked to the Chicago Cubs throughout the offseason.
The organization plans on being contenders this year after missing the playoffs three straight times.
Many figured this would cause the ownership group and front office to become aggressive, however, they've remained measured like in past winters and entered Spring Training with more questions than answers.
Of course, the main one everyone has on their mind is if the Cody Bellinger reunion is going to take place.
The Cubs might have just told the entire baseball world it's not going to happen after agreeing to a deal with veteran first baseman David Peralta.
Bellinger's primary position is an outfielder, but with Pete Crow-Armstrong ready to be a full-time Major League player, the thought process was Chicago might move the slugger to first eventually where he spent 59 games in 2023.
In addition to Peralta, the Cubs also made a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers that brought in one of their top prospects, Michael Busch. As of now, it looks like the 26-year-old is going to be their starter at first base.
Chicago also added more depth for that position after they agreed to a minor league deal with lefty slugger Dominic Smith, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.
Smith underwent surgery in January to address a hamate bone injury, but he should be available towards the end of Spring Training.
The 28-year-old had his best two-year stretch of his career with the New York Mets in 2019 and 2020. In his limited playing time, he proved to be valuable coming off the bench.
As he got more time on the field, he regressed a bit, posting OPS+ numbers of 83 in 2021 and 92 with the Washington Nationals in 2023.
However, the Cubs won't need him to be their full-time option at first, using him in the platoon role if he can play his way onto the roster. At the very least, this gives them another option on defense and likely signals the end of their Bellinger pursuit.
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