The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are in trade discussions involving first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, with Yankees' prospect pitcher Will Warren being a potential trade piece. The Yankees, seeking to bolster their lineup after losing Juan Soto, are also considering other players like Kyle Tucker. Financial negotiations are ongoing, as the Cubs want the Yankees to cover most of Bellinger's $52.5 million contract. Warren, who had a challenging season in Triple-A and a brief MLB stint, is part of the Yankees' efforts to acquire outfield help.
The Sacramento Kings have halted their efforts to acquire Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors, as reported by Shams Charania. Despite initial interest in adding Siakam to create a "big three" with De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the two teams are no longer in discussions. Siakam's expiring contract worth $37.9MM presents a challenge for trade negotiations. The Kings had considered a trade package including Davion Mitchell, Harrison Barnes, and Kevin Huerter, but have declared Keegan Murray untouchable. Siakam, a two-time All-Star, has been with the Raptors since being drafted in 2016 and is currently averaging 22.4 points per game this season.
The Chicago Cubs have yet to make any significant moves in the offseason, leaving fans feeling pessimistic. They were not in the running for Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto, and it seems they may be looking to add by subtracting. The front office's actions have raised doubts among fans, who are waiting for the team to prove otherwise. Trade talks involving young pitchers have emerged as a potential avenue for improvement, as the free agent market thins. The Cubs are also considering their options in center field and have promoted Meghan Jones as the first woman VP in Cubs baseball operations.
