<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb-rumors-cody-bellinger-opt-out-plan-excite-cubs');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: Cody Bellinger’s opt out plan will excite the Cubs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/MLB-rumors-Cody-Bellingers-opt-out-plan-will-excite-the-Cubs.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB rumors: Cody Bellinger’s opt out plan will excite the Cubs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-09-15T17:03:35-07:00">September 15th, 5:03pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-09-15T17:03:35-07:00">September 15th, 5:03pm</time><address><a>Derek Hryn</a>Derek Hryn is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints specializing in NFL and NCAA Football coverage. Derek was previously a fantasy football expert at DK and SB Nation, and he has been featured at FanSided, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs received some fortunate news on Cody Bellinger this weekend. The 28-year-old outfielder is fully expected to remain with the Cubs instead of opting out of his contract.</p><p>Bellinger is in the first year of a three-year, $80 million contract, and he <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2024/09/15/another-world-series-hangover-rangers-fail-to-repeat/75228742007/" rel="noopener">will make $27.5 million next year</a>, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.</p><p>Following San Francisco Giants third baseman <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/3-players-benefit-giants-matt-chapman-contract-extension">Matt Chapman’s gigantic extension</a> from a week ago, it was expected that Bellinger would plan for a long-term deal to remain in Chicago, or seek a future with another club. That has changed in a hurry, as Bellinger won’t opt out of his current contract and is “fully expected” to remain with the Cubs.</p><p>Bellinger is having a decent season (.269/.332/.468), despite it being far from his previous output. The Cubs shopped around, albeit subtly, at the trade deadline in July to possibly move Bellinger after his slow start since he signed his three-year contract. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cubs-news-cody-bellinger-injury-return-chicago">finishing top-10 in the MVP race</a> last season, the Cubs (75-73) are hoping that Bellinger can return to form as they attempt to make a playoff push this month.</p><h2><b>Cubs postseason chances come down to September</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Cody-Bellinger.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The Cubs are chasing the Milwaukee Brewers (86-62) in the NL Central. However, it’s not much looking like the Brewers will be caught. The Cubs are six games back on the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets in the NL Wild Card, but mainly they need some sort of collapse from the Mets in order to secure a spot.</p><p>Bellinger should be a huge part of what the Cubs attempt to accomplish for the final month of the season. Second baseman Nico Hoerner weighed in regarding the team’s playoff chances.</p><p>“<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5764416/2024/09/13/cubs-playoff-odds-clubhouse-reaction/" rel="noopener">There’s no hiding that</a>,” Hoerner said, per Patrick Mooney of The Athletic. “Of course, I’m looking to see if the Mets and Braves have won. Mathematically, it’s not in our control, right? We could win every game the rest of the year, and if they also win every game — like the Mets (seemingly) have — then you don’t go to the playoffs. Do we think we can do it? Yeah, we think we can continue to play really high-level baseball.</p><p>“I like the schedule that we have in front of us. I like how our group is playing. And I like our chances of having a really high winning percentage the rest of the season. We can’t control what the other teams do, especially when we don’t play them. That’s where you wish you had those head-to-head opportunities to make up ground.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: Cody Bellinger’s opt out plan will excite the Cubs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cubs-news-cody-bellinger-injury-return-chicago');   ga('set', 'title', 'What Cody Bellinger’s injury return means for Cubs');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Cubs-news-What-Cody-Bellingers-injury-return-means-for-Chicago.jpg"></figure><h1>What Cody Bellinger’s injury return means for Cubs</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-30T12:30:41-07:00">July 30th, 12:30pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-30T12:30:41-07:00">July 30th, 12:30pm</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs <a href="https://x.com/Cubs/status/1818051539673505877" rel="noopener">reinstated</a> outfielder Cody Bellinger from the 10-day injured list on Monday. What does Bellinger’s return mean for a ball club that has underperformed in 2024?</p><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cubs-news-craig-counsell-chicago-trade-deadline">Cubs are not aggressively buying</a> ahead of the MLB trade deadline. Bellinger could be traded, but he has not been mentioned in trade rumors on a consistent basis amid his previous injury concern. If Bellinger is not traded, the Cubs will be in a difficult position.</p><h2><b>Cubs’ eye-opening position as Cody Bellinger returns from the injured list</b></h2><p>Bellinger has an opt-out in his contract following the 2024 season. There is no guarantee that the 29-year-old will exercise the opt-out, however.</p><p>He has been limited to only 79 games played due to injuries. Bellinger is slashing just .269/.331/.410/.742 in 2024. He has not been able to produce the same kind of results that earned him a top 10 MVP finish in 2023.</p><p>So with the Cubs struggling and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/yankees-acquire-impactful-reliever-in-cubs-trade">selling ahead of the deadline</a> and Bellinger not playing up to his lofty expectations, the future is quite uncertain. If Bellinger opts into his deal, the Cubs will have to pay him over $27 million in 2025 barring an offseason trade. If he opts out, the Cubs may lose him in free agency while receiving nothing in return.</p><p>The decision to re-sign Bellinger during the offseason led many to believe that Chicago was ready to compete for a playoff spot. In all reality, they still could turn things around and perform well down the stretch. However, earning a postseason spot in the National League this season will be a challenge for Chicago.</p><p>Again, a trade remains a possibility. The Cubs will be a team worth keeping close tabs on before the 2024 MLB trade deadline. We will continue to monitor and provide updates on the Cubs and Cody Bellinger as they are made available.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

What Cody Bellinger’s injury return means for Cubs

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cubs-news-cubs-dealt-tough-cody-bellinger-injury-update');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs dealt tough Cody Bellinger injury update');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Chicago-dealt-tough-Cody-Bellinger-injury-update.jpg"><figcaption>7/11/24</figcaption></figure><h1>Cubs dealt tough Cody Bellinger injury update</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-11T14:51:48-07:00">July 11th, 2:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-11T14:51:48-07:00">July 11th, 2:51pm</time><address><a>Steve Silverman</a>Steve Silverman has been covering the NFL for more than 35 years, and his writing has appeared in ESPN Magazine, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, Pro Football Weekly, and Forbes.com. He has written 10 books, including "Who's Better, Who's Best in the NFL." He has won multiple awards from the Pro Football Writers of America.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Chicago Cubs have been one of the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/why-red-hot-ian-happ-isnt-getting-traded-by-cubs-at-deadline">most disappointing teams</a> in the National League. Even though they have won back-to-back road games over the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles and have a 3-game winning streak as they prepare for their series finale at Camden Yards, the Cubs find themselves in last place in the National League Central. While there is hope of a post All-Star break turnaround, the Cubs will have to do it without slugger Cody Bellinger.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cubs CF Cody Bellinger is going on the IL with a fractured left middle finger after getting by a pitch last night.</p><p>— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1811487732209975557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The former Dodger and 2019 National League Most Valuable Player <a href="https://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/1811487732209975557">suffered a fractured</a> left middle finger in Wednesday night’s 4-0 triumph over Baltimore.</p><p>Bellinger suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in his top hand while batting against southpaw relief pitcher Cionel Perez. The Cubs star stayed in the game after being hit by the pitch, but he was eventually replaced by Miles Mastrobuoni.</p><p>The Cubs placed Bellinger on the Injured List as a result of the fracture. They brought up Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa to take his spot on the roster.</p><p>Bellinger, is hitting .269/.331/.410 (107 OPS+) with nine home runs, 37 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. While those numbers are not as productive as Bellinger was in 2023, he has the talent to get hot and carry the team.</p><h2><b>Bellinger injury could put crimp in team’s trade plans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/A-stint-on-the-Injured-List-for-Cody-Bellinger-will-slow-the-Cubs-offense.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>However, with the Cubs in last place as the trade deadline approaches, there has been significant thought that Bellinger could be traded in a deal that could have brought the Cubs significant assets for the future.</p><p>Series victories <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cubs-news-shota-imanaga-exclusive-list-rookie-all-star-nod">have been rarities</a> for the Cubs since the early part of the season. They beat the Los Angeles Angels in 2 of 3 last weekend and winning 2 games in a row against the Orioles means they have won this series, but they had not won a 3- or 4-game series since early May prior to the victory over the Angels.</p><p>The Cubs have been dogged by a lack of hitting this season, and they expected Bellinger to put up numbers similar to what he accomplished last season.</p><p>Cody Bellinger slashed .307./357/.525 for the Cubs in 2023 and he hammered 26 home runs while driving in 97 runs. He also scored 95 ruins and stole 20 bases for a Cubs team that appeared headed for a spot in the National League playoffs until they collapsed in September.</p><p>They hired former Brewers manager Craig Counsell in the offseason, and the Cubs were expected to battle Milwaukee for first place in the division. Instead, they have regressed quite a bit this season and that’s why they could be sellers at the trade deadline.</p><h2><b>Playoff aspirations appear dim for Cubs</b></h2><p>The Cubs are 3 1/2 games behind the New York Mets, and that team sits in the third and final National League Wild Card spot at the moment. However, the Cubs would have to climb over five other teams in addition to the Mets to put themselves in a potential playoff postion.</p><p>After the Cubs finish their series with the Orioles, they will fly to St. Louis to take on the archrival Cardinals in a 3-game series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs dealt tough Cody Bellinger injury update

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb-rumors-what-cubs-would-realistic-get-cody-bellinger-trade');   ga('set', 'title', 'MLB rumors: What Cubs would realistic get in Cody Bellinger trade');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/MLB-rumors-What-Cubs-would-realistic-get-in-Cody-Bellinger-trade.jpg"></figure><h1>MLB rumors: What Cubs would realistic get in Cody Bellinger trade</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-05T13:32:01-07:00">July 5th, 1:32pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-05T13:32:55-07:00">July 5th, 1:32pm</time><address><a>Joshua Valdez</a>Joshua Valdez started his journalism career as the Sports Editor for the Rutgers University newspaper before becoming an associate editor for ClutchPoints. He is a diehard Yankees, Jets, Knicks, Rutgers, and Tottenham Hotspur fan. When Joshua is not either watching a game or writing about one, you can find him in an art-house movie theater or working on a screenplay.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the Chicago Cubs on pace for their third losing season in the last four years, the club figures to be sellers at this year’s trade deadline. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/cubs-news-cody-bellinger-ignoring-trade-rumors-deadline-looms">Outfielder Cody Bellinger’s name</a> has been thrown around the rumor mill, but the club could have trouble moving him.</p><p>Bellinger’s level of production relative to his salary could make him a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5617250/2024/07/05/chicago-cubs-trade-deadline-cody-bellinger/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">questionable investment for other teams</a>, via <i>The Athletic’s </i>Sahadev Sharma.</p><p>“Talking to scouts around baseball, there is a belief that the money could be a big roadblock for many teams,” Sharma reported. “That led many to believe he wouldn’t fetch much in return at the trade deadline. One scout suggested that if the Cubs were to kick in more money, that was the easy way to up the return.”</p><p>Bellinger is owed $27.5 million this season, <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/player/_/id/21735/cody-bellinger" rel="noopener">with player options</a> for both next year and the year after, via Spotrac. The former Los Angeles Dodger will earn another $27.5 and $25 million each of the next two years, respectively, should he pick up those options.</p><p>The player options could be risky for teams to take on, as Bellinger’s not an upper-echelon player.</p><p>“The Cubs could also agree to conditionally kick in more money should he opt into his contract for next season,” Sharma continued. “But the dip in power has brought real concerns for teams. There were already questions about his quality-of-contact issues even after last season’s bounce-back. With these results, those remain even as his exit velocity and barrel rate have ticked up ever so slightly this season.”</p><p>Bellinger went into Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels slashing .274/.335/.425 with nine homers and 37 RBI. While he’s greatly improved his contact hitting since heading to Chicago, he hasn’t even sniffed his career-high 47 homers he smashed as a Dodger in 2019.</p><p>What would Chicago fetch <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-rumors-yankees-rangers-scouting-cubs-as-cody-bellinger-trade-buzz-grows">in a deal for Bellinger</a>?</p><h2><b>The Cubs should target prospects in a Bellinger trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Cubs-Cody-Bellinger.jpg"><figcaption>© Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>Assuming Chicago doesn’t go on a late-season run and make the playoffs, Bellinger could easily opt out and walk away for nothing in the winter. That’s why the club must get some assets back for him while it still can.</p><p>The general rule of thumb is that non-contending teams should focus on rebuilding with young talent, rather than target veterans. The New York Yankees could be the perfect trade partner, as they could use a consistent outfield bat next to Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Alex Verdugo is slumping, Giancarlo Stanton is injured, and the squad desperately needs offensive depth to stay in the AL East race.</p><p>Furthermore, New York has promising prospects the Cubs could rebuild with, such as infielder Oswald Peraza and outfielder Everson Pereira.</p><p>Regardless of who the trade partner is, though, Chicago will probably have to sweeten the pot with extra cash considerations to finalize the deal.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

MLB rumors: What Cubs would realistic get in Cody Bellinger trade

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/cubs-news-cody-bellinger-ignoring-trade-rumors-deadline-looms');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Cody Bellinger ignoring trade rumors as deadline looms');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Cubs-news-Cody-Bellinger-ignoring-trade-rumors-as-deadline-looms.jpg"></figure><h1>Cubs’ Cody Bellinger ignoring trade rumors as deadline looms</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-07-05T10:49:31-07:00">July 5th, 10:49am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-07-05T10:49:31-07:00">July 5th, 10:49am</time><address><a>Dan Fappiano</a>Dan Fappiano is a Connecticut based sports journalist and a graduate of both Tunxis Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Dan has spent time covering high school and professional sports in both the print and online medium. He hopes to see his beloved Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl someday.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">MLB</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Barring an unexpected turnaround, the Chicago Cubs must consider entering the MLB trade deadline as sellers. If the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/what-a-perfect-cubs-trade-deadline-looks-like">Cubs are prepared to make</a> a trade, Cody Bellinger’s name will certainly come up amongst interested teams.</p><p>It won’t be the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb-rumors-yankees-rangers-scouting-cubs-as-cody-bellinger-trade-buzz-grows">first time Bellinger has been</a> in trade rumors, as he was sought after leading up to the 2023 MLB trade deadline. He’s planning on <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5617250/2024/07/05/chicago-cubs-trade-deadline-cody-bellinger/?source=emp_shared_article" rel="noopener">doing exactly what he did</a> last time, blocking out the noise and focusing on only improving his game, via Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic.</p><p>“Feels like it’s a little different this year,” Bellinger said. “But just like last year, I’m definitely not going to think about it. Like everything, it’s a distraction to what you need to accomplish. I won’t think about it. Just take it day by day.”</p><p>While Bellinger was a hot commodity at the deadline, Chicago decided to take him off the market as they were in the midst of a hot streak. However, even with Bellinger in the lineup the Cubs were unable to capitalize and missed out on the playoffs.</p><p>Bellinger said that during that time, he built a strong line of communication with President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer. Both sides were understanding of the team’s situation and that a trade could be on the table. If the Cubs once again put Bellinger on the trade market, the outfielder is once again expecting to work with Hoyer to find the best possible outcome.</p><p>But Chicago’s outlook is much bleaker than when the deadline rolled around in 2023. At 40-48, the Cubs are 12 games back of the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central and six game out of a Wild Card spot. Sweeping changes could be coming to the North Side.</p><p>As the Cubs discuss trades with teams, Cody Bellinger will be the focus of numerous conversations. But no matter who is the team on the other side, Bellinger is just focusing on baseball.</p><h2><b>What Cody Bellinger offers in trade</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Cody-Bellinger.jpg"><figcaption>Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure><p>While Cody Bellinger was signed to a three-year, $80 million contract, it contains opt-outs after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Any team trading for him could theoretically be getting a rental. Or, Bellinger could be a part of their lineup for up to two more seasons. That disparity in control could hurt the Cubs in talks. Teams want certainty if they’re going to part with supreme prospect capital.</p><p>At the plate, Bellinger is hitting .274 with nine home runs, 37 RBI and four stolen bases. He’s having a down year compared to what fans and pundits were expecting. Especially after a 2023 campaign that saw Bellinger hit .307 with 26 home runs, 97 RBI and 20 stolen bases.</p><p>Still, the outfielder/first baseman is a former MVP, Rookie of the Year, World Series winner and two-time All-Star. Cody Bellinger has hit .259 with 187 home runs, 556 RBI and 86 stolen bases over his eight-year major league career.</p><p>At least one MLB team will be interested in Bellinger is truly made available at the deadline. The only question is what the Cubs would get for him. Bellinger isn’t interested in finding out to who or what the package would be in any potential trade.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
11	0.00	3	1.09	0

2024 SEASON STATS
IP	ERA	K	WHIP	WINS
11	0.00	3	1.09	0

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Ashcraft stats

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FIELDING STATS

Braxton Ashcraft stats

PITCHING STATS

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Ashcraft stats