Chicago Cubs star outfielder Cody Bellinger has been placed on the injured list following a fractured left middle finger, an unfortunate turn that occurred during Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The injury took place in the seventh inning when Bellinger was hit by a pitch from lefty reliever Cionel Perez. Despite initially remaining in the game, Bellinger was eventually replaced by Miles Mastrobuoni.
In response to Bellinger's injury, the Cubs have recalled Alexander Canario from Triple-A Iowa as part of a corresponding roster move. The 23-year-old Canario now steps into a pivotal role as the Cubs navigate the weeks ahead.
Bellinger's Season So Far
Bellinger, who will turn 29 this Saturday, has been a consistent contributor for the Cubs this season, hitting .269/.331/.410 with nine home runs, 37 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. His overall performance has amounted to an estimated 1.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) according to Baseball Reference's estimates. While these figures demonstrate Bellinger’s above-average contributions, it's noted that he isn't having as strong of a year compared to his stellar 2023 season.
Entering Thursday, the Cubs held a 44-49 record, trailing 10 games behind in the National League Central and 3 1/2 games shy of the NL's final wild-card spot. With such positioning, the team finds itself at a crossroads as the trade deadline approaches.
Strategic Decisions Ahead
Bellinger's injury has inevitably sparked discussions regarding the Cubs' strategy leading up to the trade deadline. "With the way the season has spiraled for the Cubs, we think they have to at least contemplate listening to offers for Bellinger," one insider suggested.
Adding to the complexity is Bellinger's three-year contract, which includes an opt-out clause after each season. This flexibility means there's no guarantee Bellinger will remain on Chicago's roster come Opening Day 2025. "Remember, his three-year pact allows him to opt out after each season, meaning there's no actual assurance either way that he'll be on Chicago's roster come Opening Day 2025," an insider noted.
Teams assessing Bellinger's uncharacteristic profile and current year performance may impact the likelihood of a trade. "We'll concede that Bellinger isn't having as good of a year as he did in 2023, and that teams may have additional concerns about his unusual profile as a result," one insider commented.
These factors could either deter potential suitors or be used as leverage by trading teams to negotiate a less favorable return for the Cubs. "That, in turn, could make it more likely that he stays in place — either because teams are concerned he'll opt-in and decline, or because teams try to use that possibility to leverage the Cubs into a worse return," the insider explained.
Next Steps for the Cubs
Despite these challenges, a strong performance from Bellinger leading up to the deadline could shift the dynamics. "A well-timed heater between now and the deadline could change things, however, and even in this current reality, he's an above-average contributor capable of standing in center field. That's something," the insider added.
As the Cubs continue their series with the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, followed by a matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, the front office will be closely monitoring both Bellinger's recovery and the team's overall trajectory. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the Cubs look to solidify their roster with potential trades or ride out the season with the existing lineup, eyeing brighter prospects in the near future.