With the MLB offseason in swing, the Chicago Cubs could find themselves at the forefront of trade talks surrounding two of their best players in outfielder Cody Bellinger and second baseman Nico Hoerner.
Here are two potential trade destinations for both players:
Seattle Mariners
Seattle makes a ton of sense for both Bellinger and Hoerner.
The Mariners ranked 29th in team batting average, 25th in slugging percentage and first in team strikeouts last season.
Bellinger and Hoerner are both in the 85th percentile or better (Hoerner is in the 99th percentile) in strikeout rate among major-league hitters.
Bellinger more so than Hoerner could help Seattle in the slugging department, as he finished the season with 44 extra-base hits and a slugging percentage of .426, his second-highest mark in the last four seasons.
900th career hit is a home run for Cody Bellinger pic.twitter.com/ZrEFVA6p5Q
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 10, 2024
Bellinger would provide a much-needed spark to an offense that has struggled mightily for the last couple of seasons.
Hoerner being moved to Seattle would likely get the Cubs a return including one of the Mariners' young and promising pitchers, such as George Kirby or Logan Gilbert.
New York will be in the market for a second baseman, as its starting second baseman, Gleyber Torres, is a free agent, and it does not seem that the Yankees have any interest in bringing him back.
Hoerner would add much improved defense at second base, as he is a former Gold Glove winner, and Torres was tied sixth in the MLB in errors last season with 18.
Nico Hoerner is so much fun to watch play defense pic.twitter.com/MzxxKjqDIy
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 19, 2024
Bellinger could play both left field and first base for the Yankees, as they are set to lose both Anthony Rizzo and Alex Verdugo.
Much like Hoerner, Bellinger could add improved defense at either position, especially first base, as Rizzo had one of his worst years at first base with -3 outs above average.
UnBellievable!@Cody_Bellinger pic.twitter.com/yOSYLpNEdY
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 16, 2023
The Cubs will certainly need to make moves if they have any intentions of bringing in big-name free agents like Anthony Santander or even Pete Alonso.
It will be interesting to see what other teams come calling if the Cubs decide to pull the trigger on a deal that includes either Bellinger or Hoerner.
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