For teams that had hopes of landing outfielder Cody Bellinger before the trade deadline, they reportedly are going to have to look elsewhere.
The Chicago Cubs have taken him off the trading block now that their playoff hopes are rising, thanks to an eight-game winning streak, ESPN reported Sunday.
The Cubs, instead, are shifting direction and reportedly looking for bullpen help for the playoff drive.
Wins in 10 of their past 11 games have put the Cubs 3 1/2 games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central. They’re just three games out of the final NL wild-card berth.
The NL Most Valuable Player in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bellinger, 28, followed that milestone with three down seasons, hitting .239, .165 and .210 in successive campaigns. The Dodgers didn’t offer the 28-year-old outfielder a contract after the 2022 season, and the Cubs signed him to a one-year $17.5 million guaranteed contract.
The change of scenery has rejuvenated Bellinger, who is batting .315 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs in 73 games for the Cubs. Red hot, he’s hitting .413 in July.
Several teams reportedly were interested in acquiring Bellinger, including the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants.
–Field Level Media