If someone said Cody Bellinger and Chicago Cubs were star-crossed lovers, it wouldn’t bat one’s eyes. Their story has continued like a classic Shakespearean drama – someone says yes, someone says no and things remain stuck in one place. Even now, after the Cubs fans and players made their pro-Bellinger feelings known, this story is still on a wait-and-watch stage. 

But there’s one theme prevalent in many Shakespearean stories – if one doesn’t take advantage quickly, someone else enters the scene to spoil the party. It looks like fiction could be turning into a reality here with potential suitors waiting in the background for the Cubs to make one mistake. Could there be a surprise in this romantic tale of Bellinger and the North Side?

Cody Bellinger and Scott Boras may have found a breathing space

Most experts believe that the Cubs are favorites for Bellinger. But it’s undeniable that the potential $200 million plus demands of Bellinger aren’t attracting the North Siders. The famously frugal Jed Hoyer has stuck his boots down the ground and so has super agent Scott Boras. But the latter might have found some breathing space. As USA Today’s Bob Nightengale recently reported, “If Cody Bellinger does not wind up back with the Chicago Cubs, the Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners are lurking.”

This could come as a huge boost for Bellinger’s representatives. More competition for their client can increase the price of the deal. Until now, things were going in the Chicago Cubs’ favor. From the beginning, their plan hinged on the sweepstakes of Cody Bellinger losing their steam. This would’ve ensured that the deal’s price would be on their terms.

So Bellinger and the North Siders’ talks got stuck. With the Chi-Town squad playing a long game, it became imperative for Boras to find more competitors to increase the pressure on the Cubbies. With both of them not willing to back down from their demands, one wondered just how long the negotiations would go. 

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But now the Mariners and Blue Jays could remove some stagnancy from this free agency.

How the new competitors could affect the strategy of the Chicago Cubs

The Mariners have emptied much of their payroll this year so a big signing like Bellinger is possible. They are a little short on hitters, Cody Love would immediately solve much of those problems. Also, Bellinger is just what this consistent team needs to reach the next level in their evolution.

Same goes with the Blue Jays. Their disappointing offseason needs a huge jolt and Bellinger could be that electrifying force. So with both teams set to benefit immensely with Bellinger’s entry, they can go all out for him. As a result, the Cubs’ strategy of waiting it out might get changed soon.

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