When it comes to free agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, all anyone has heard since the offseason started is that he and the Chicago Cubs would eventually reach an agreement. Earlier this week, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that several sources in the baseball industry feel the Cubs are the most likely landing destination for Bellinger.
If that’s true, why haven’t the two parties reached an agreement yet? Of course, Bellinger is represented by the Boras Corporation, and the most powerful sports agency in the country has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to wait in order to negotiate the greatest contract for his client.
But what do you know, Reds fans? It does not matter. With or without Bellinger, the Cincinnati Reds remain the superior team. In fact, all things considered, it appears that the Reds are being criminally undervalued this season. The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be on the verge of a rebuild, while St. Louis hasn’t done enough to improve its squad. In reality, the Pittsburgh Pirates might be better than most supporters realize.
Cubs’ likely reunion with Cody Bellinger shouldn’t concern Reds fans
While the Reds have been busy adding to their roster this winter, the Cubs have done an excellent job of subtracting from it. Cincinnati has signed Frankie Montas, Nick Martinez, Jeimer Candelario, Emilio Pagán, and Brent Suter. Chicago replaced Candelario and Marcus Stroman with Michael Busch and Shōta Imanaga.
Imanga lacks major league experience, but he has the potential to be a competent starter. However, baseball fans have witnessed time and again how many Japanese stars are unable to replicate their success overseas once they step onto a major league mound. Busch was a highly touted talent in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ farm system, but he has yet to produce in The Show.
Chicago’s roster is not without talent. They have added former Houston A
tros reliever Hector Neris and Cy Young candidate Justin Steele to their starting rotation. And, while Ian Happ has been a Reds’ killer over the years, he still has an OPS below.800 in 2023, so let’s not pretend he’s a perennial All-Star.
Yes, Bellinger is a former Rookie of the Year and MVP, but you can’t ignore the three-year period when the outfielder hit only.203/.272/.376 with an OPS+ of 76. It’s no surprise that the Cubs’ front management is reluctant to spend more than $200 million on the former fourth-round pick.
The Reds have a better roster than the Cubs, with or without Cody Bellinger
The Cincinnati Reds’ roster is stacked with young talent. Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, and Noelvi Marte all have star potential. There are also Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Spencer Steer, and TJ Friedl. The Reds’ rotation consists nearly entirely of second and third-year starters, two of whom were former first-round picks.
Nick Krall and the Reds front office did all necessary this winter to put Cincinnati in contention to win the NL Central in 2024. To quote The Rock, “It doesn’t matter!” whether Cody Bellinger re-signs with the Cubs. The Reds have a better roster than the Cubs, with or without Bellinger.
