Could the Royals swing a trade for Cody Bellinger?

The Kansas City Royals are looking to upgrade their outfield while improving the middle of their batting order. Cody Bellinger might be what the team is looking for. 

Nick Deeds of MLB Trade Rumors discussed trade partners for the Cubs if they decided to cut some payroll by trading Bellinger. Deeds dismissed the Royals as a possibility because of the outfielder's salary, but there might be a way to make a deal with Kansas City. 

The Royals have a window right now where they have some established starting pitchers under contract for the next two years. Seth Lugo is under contract for 2025, with a player option for 2026. Michael Wacha is signed through 2027 with a club option for 2028. Cole Ragans won't become arbitration-eligible until 2026. They are in a win-now mode. 

A trade that could make sense for both clubs is Bellinger for Hunter Renfroe. The Cubs would save almost $20 million in salary for 2025 and be off the hook for $25 million in 2026. They would gain a veteran corner outfielder to back up their youngsters at a fraction of the cost. 

The Royals will take on the $20 million difference in salary in the swap, but any impactful free-agent outfielder the team might sign would probably cost close to that number anyway. 

Even if the Royals pay Bellinger $25 million next year, it won't wreck their payroll because shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.'s salary will still be a bargain. His salary jumps to just over $7.7 million this season and just over $13.7 in 2026. In addition, catcher Salvador Perez's salary will drop from $22 million this season to $13.5 million in 2026. 

The Royals would be adding more salary, but not as much as it appears at first glance. They would get a middle-of-the-order bat that provides decent power (some of his home runs might turn into doubles in Kauffman Stadium), a respectable average and on-base percentage. 

Bellinger would also serve as a bridge for the Royals as they wait for Jac Caglianone to develop in the minors without rushing their top prospect. 

The Royals need to shore up the meat of the batting order. They have Witt, but how many more Silver Sluggers can the aging Perez win? First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino has been great when on the field, but the Royals offense fell apart when he was injured in September. Bellinger would be a good insurance policy if Perez finally begins to look his age or if injuries become the norm for Pasquantino.

Of course, the Cubs might not want Renfroe, even for one season. However, he's been productive against lefties throughout his career and still has a big arm. He offers plenty of value as a bench player. Maybe the Royals throw in an organizational depth prospect to sweeten the deal. 

This scenario could help both organizations, and it isn't as farfetched as it may seem at first glance.