Why Phillies could acquire Cubs superstar in surprise blockbuster

The Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs both had playoff aspirations heading into 2024, but at the midway point of the season, they're clearly heading in opposite directions.

The Phillies, with the best record in baseball at 54-28, are eight games up in the National League East. The Cubs, meanwhile, have gone 21-36 since May 8 and are now in the cellar of the NL Central, five games back of the final Wild Card spot.

Despite the Cubs' grand plans of competing for a pennant in the first year of Craig Counsell's managerial tenure, selling has to be on the table if a long winning streak doesn't come quickly. And if they do sell, there's a perfect trade fit to be had in dealing with the first-place Phillies.

The Athletic MLB staff reported on Thursday that the trade interest around Cubs star outfielder Cody Bellinger has increased significantly of late, specifically naming the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers as teams sniffing around the 2019 NL MVP.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have long been rumored to have interest in Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. But while Robert has two more guaranteed seasons on his contract after 2024, Bellinger can opt out after this season, meaning in theory, his contract is easier to trade.

It's simple math from there: The Cubs have a potential difference-maker to trade, while the Phillies need help at his position. If Bellinger is indeed on the market, Philadelphia general manager Dave Dombrowski should be one of the first to ring the offices at Wrigley Field.

Bellinger, 28, isn't performing to the heights of his MVP season, nor his resurgent 2023 with the Cubs. But he's still been a productive player, posting a .748 OPS/110 OPS+. He can play any of the three outfield positions and even first base, which could prove valuable if Bryce Harper ends up missing more time than expected due to injury.

But in all likelihood, Bellinger's value to Philadelphia would be in center field, where the Phillies have struggled to find production all season.

Opening Day starter Johan Rojas was promoted to Triple-A after a horrific offensive start. Brandon Marsh has been filling in since Rojas' demotion, but Marsh is much better defensively in left field. Plus, the Phillies' outfield issues tempted Rob Thomson to play Kyle Schwarber in left on Thursday, resulting in a strained groin suffered on a throw to second base.

Adding Bellinger would unlock the best possible version of this Phillies lineup. At the same time, it would provide prospect value to a Cubs team that could lose Bellinger for nothing at the end of the season.

Sometimes, trades just make too much sense for both sides. This is one of those times.

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