THE Chicago Cubs are heading into the offseason with some big question marks, but the biggest one concerns their best offensive player.

With Cody Bellinger with an opt-out decision to make, he stands to earn $27.5 million in 2025 if he decides to participate. Bellinger is represented by Scott Boras however, who is known for pushing his clients to do whatever they can to hit the open market and become a full-fledged free agent. Having signed a three-year deal to stay in Chicago last winter, the contract contains opt-out provisions this offseason and next if he chooses to stay with the team in 2025.

Signs point to Bellinger testing free agency, and if that happens, he’s probably unlikely to re-sign with the Cubs.

However his numbers took a step back in 2024 after another Silver Slugger season for Bellinger in 2023, any baseball team that needs an injection of offense would love to land the 2019 National League MVP on their roster. Christopher Kline of FanSided named a surprise team that could pursue Bellinger and haunt Chicago at its NL Central rival, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“Bellinger would give the Pirates a much-needed veteran presence, postseason experience and a disciplined bat,” Kline wrote. “His hitting numbers were reduced last season, but Bellinger still hit 18 homers while regularly smashing extra base hits. This would obviously keep Bellinger in the NL Central, pitted against Chicago in what is sure to be a heated race for the division Cubs fans don’t want to oppose Bellinger so directly, but a move to Pittsburgh would leave them no choice.

The Pirates are of course a rebuilding franchise, but they hope to soon take the next steps toward legitimate playoff contention alongside the superstar pitching sensation. Paul Skenes.

A player like Bellinger who has playoff pedigree and a demonstrated ability to create offense is the exact type of guy who can accelerate a team’s rebuild and immediately install a winning mindset in the clubhouse .

In what will always be a tough division, the last thing the Cubs need is another ascending NL Central franchise with whom they will have to compete for a playoff spot. Bellinger going to Pittsburgh is one of the worst scenarios if the slugger does indeed leave Chicago.