Cubs insider insists "Cody Bellinger is not on Juan Soto level," urges Jed Hoyer to pursue Dominican for World Series ambitions
Juan Soto clarified his feelings about free agency after the New York Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series. With Soto seemingly looking to sign with the highest bidder, a Chicago Cubs insider hopes it will be their team.
Cody Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, is the Cubs' biggest star, but insider Mick Gillispie thinks Soto is an upgrade over the 2023 NL Comeback Player of the Year. [0:00]
"Juan Soto is the most coveted free agent since Shohei Ohtani, and then before that, who knows. But this guy could be worth $700 million. He was on the Yankees, he was on the Padres, and he won a World Series with the Nationals," said Gillispie.
"He's a young guy with a ton of talent, and he would be someone the Cubs could build around. Maybe he's that missing link for this team that really hasn't been in serious contention for a championship in years," Gillispie added.
The insider noted almost all the teams that entered the postseason, except for the Cleveland Guardians, had a star player. As such, he felt Soto could be that type of player who could put the Cubs into the 2025 postseason. [8:12]
They [Cubs] might lose Cody Bellinger, but Cody Bellinger isn't on the Juan Soto level. Sorry, I know he's a former MVP, but Juan Soto has consistently shown that he's one of baseball's, some might say, one of baseball's best three or four players. So, we'll find out, but the thing I know is that Jed Hoyer definitely knows this guy can play and is definitely interested in Juan Soto," Gillispie said.
The insider wants the Cubs to pursue the Dominican, but knows that the huge price tag associated with the 2019 World Series champion makes the decision well above Hoyer's pay grade.
Cubs insider notes advantage of Chicago over New York teams in Juan Soto sweepstakes
Cubs insider Mick Gillispie knows that the Cubs are not the favorites to land Juan Soto. The Mets and Yankees, the teams from New York, are the favorites to acquire the services of the Dominican superstar.
Both teams have rich owners, making it difficult for the other teams to get Soto.
However, Gillispie found one advantage the Cubs have over the New York teams. [7:22]
"Chicago is a better city than New York. I’m sorry, New Yorkers, but it just is, and you would love Chicago, Wrigley Field. I mean, can you imagine that? It would be just a huge win for the Cubs," said Gillispie.
As per DraftKings, the Cubs have the fifth-best odds to get Soto in their lineup. In addition to the Yankees and the Mets, the Dodgers and the Blue Jays are ahead in the odds.
Nevertheless, all signs point to Soto going for the highest bidder. As such, the Cubs might find it tough to attract the superstar.