Cody Bellinger Trade Talks Reportedly Include Yanks’ No. 5 Prospect Will Warren, Money Still Main Issue

It feels like a matter of when rather than if Cody Bellinger is moved, and it may just be a matter of ironing out some sticking points on the amount of money the Cubs are willing to send to offset up to $52.5 million in guaranteed money over the next two seasons. As noted in an earlier piece, a simple solution would be to send $7.5 million next year and $5 million for 2026. That would pay Bellinger down to $20 million for the coming season and either pay for his buyout or keep him at $20 million if he opts in again. Simple.

Beyond just making it easier for Brian Cashman to say yes, how much the Cubs are willing to pay down will determine what kind of a return they’re willing to get. It sounds like Jed Hoyer’s stance has softened on trying to get New York to take on the full freight of Bellinger’s deal, which may have something to do with righty Will Warren being discussed. That comes from Pat Ragazzo of Yankees on SI, which I assume is not just another AI-generated avatar like the former institution was using at one point.

The No. 5 prospect in the Yankees’ system, Warren is a starter who debuted this past season with a rough showing that included a 10.32 ERA and five homers allowed over 22.2 innings. His ceiling is probably a late-rotation starter as long as he can dial in the command and add enough strength to get his velocity into the mid-90s more consistently, but perhaps he’s got a brighter future as a long reliever. Throw in a low-level lottery ticket and this is a done deal.

Provided, of course, the Cubs reallocate the $20 million or so they’re saving to address other needs. The linked piece above gets into more specifics, like adding Pete Alonso if Seiya Suzuki has to be moved, but there are other avenues should the Cubs manage to pry Kyle Tucker loose while keeping their current right fielder/DH. This Bellinger business isn’t quite a formality, but it’s nearing that based on reports.

A Tucker deal could come together by the weekend and everyone seems to think the Cubs are the favorites, so this whole thing could accelerate like a linear induction roller coaster.