"Michael Busch's Impact: From Dodgers' Loss to Cubs' Gain"

The Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered Cody Bellinger due to his high arbitration cost and underwhelming performance, leading the Chicago Cubs to sign him for $17.5 million and benefit from his bounce-back season. In a subsequent trade, the Dodgers sent infielder Michael Busch to the Cubs for prospects, and Busch has since showcased his offensive prowess by homering in five consecutive games. The Dodgers' decision to trade Busch was influenced by their need to clear roster space and their confidence in other infield prospects. While the prospects acquired in the trade may mitigate the loss in the future, the Dodgers' current offensive struggles raise questions about the impact Busch's bat could have had, as he continues to shine for the Cubs.