🤔🤔🤔
Looking at another awful trade proposal by MLB Network between the Blue Jays and Cubs
Photo credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2024, 12:45 ESTUpdated: Dec 12, 2024, 12:38 EST
If I had a nickel for every time MLB Network proposed an awful trade for the Toronto Blue Jays with the Chicago Cubs, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it’s happened twice.
A few weeks ago, MLB Network posted a hypothetical trade that saw the Cubs land Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kevin Gausman in return for Michael Busch, Cody Bellinger, and Cade Horton, one of the Cubs’ better prospects. That was a pretty awful trade that we wrote about.
Well, they were at it again on Wednesday evening, as MLB Network posted a hypothetical trade between the two teams, seeing the Blue Jays trade Ernie Clement, Arjun Nimmala, and Jake Bloss in exchange for Cody Bellinger. If it were 2019, sure, sign me up. However, I’m no longer at my peak, nor is Bellinger.
Thoughts on @RAJr_20's hypothetical trade centered around Cody Bellinger?
.@RAJr_20 thinks the Phillies should pursue Astros OF Kyle Tucker 👀 He breaks down why and shares a hypothetical proposal that includes 3B Alec Bohm and OF Nick Castellanos. #MLBTonight presented by @CohnReznick
Last season, the 29-year-old slashed .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs in 569 plate appearances, with a 7.9 BB% and a 15.6 K% for a 109 wRC+. This was down from his 2023 season, where he slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs in 556 plate appearances for a 136 wRC+ and a 4.4.
Even after his 2023 season, this trade would be terrible for the Blue Jays. The only time in history it would’ve made sense was after the 2019 season, as Bellinger slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs in 660 plate appearances, along with a 161 wRC+ and a 7.9 fWAR. He won a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and the National League MVP for the Los Angeles Dodgers that season.
By no means is Bellinger a bad player, but this would be a salary dump for the Chicago Cubs. The left-handed batting outfielder re-signed with the team before the 2024 season to a three-year, $80 million deal with opt-outs after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Due to his subpar results in 2024, Bellinger opted into his contract, meaning he makes $27.5 million this season and about $26.7 million towards the luxury tax.
While there is a fit for Bellinger in the Blue Jays lineup, his contract doesn’t make much sense to take on for Toronto, nor does giving up two of their better prospects and a great utility player.
Shortstop Arjun Nimmala was selected in the first round of the 2023 draft by the Blue Jays. Last season with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays, he slashed .232/.313/.476 with 16 home runs in 361 plate appearances.
After struggling to start his season, Nimmala had a brief tenure in the Florida Complex League in early June and once returning, Nimmala finished the season slashing .265/.331/.564 with 13 home runs in 236 plate appearances. Sure, his strikeout rate was high, but you can’t ignore the power potential.
Arjun Nimmala crushes a 3-run homer!
The Blue Jays acquired Jake Bloss before the 2024 trade deadline, acquiring him, Will Wagner, and Joey Loperfido from the Houston Astros for Yusei Kikuchi. With the Astros, Bloss put up terrific results in the minor leagues before getting the call to the big leagues. He struggled with the Astros and was hit or miss with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, but he’s one of Toronto’s best pitching prospects and could be the first to be called up.
As for Clement, the 28-year-old has unlocked his power with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. In 2024, he slashed .263/.284/.408 with 12 home runs in 452 plate appearances, along with a 2.4 BB% and a 9.1 K%. He also had 9 Defensive Runs Saved and 3 Outs Above Average in 661 innings at third base, and 6 DRS and 4 OAA in 314.1 innings at shortstop.
So in short, the trade MLB Network proposed between the Blue Jays and the Cubs is terrible for Toronto… again.
As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.