NEW YORK – The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs have discussed a trade for first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger.

After losing superstar Juan Soto to the cross-town rival New York Mets in free agency, the Yankees traded for lefty pitcher Max Fried (eight years, $218 million) and are looking for big bats to fill the void in their lineup .

The Yankees are in talks with the Cubs surrounding Bellinger and one name that has been brought up is New York’s No. 5 prospect in righty pitcher Will Warren, sources said Yankees on SI.

Warren will be made available to the Yankees as they look for outfield help on the trade market, but a deal with Chicago or other teams would likely require additional pieces in a potential package.

The other dilemma between the Yankees and Cubs is money. As MLB insider Jon Heyman of The New York Post As reported, Chicago wants the Yankees to pay nearly all of the $52.5 million Bellinger is owed over the next two seasons.

Bellinger appears to be a perfect fit for the Yankees as he is a lefty hitter who can play first base, center field and left field. The Yankees have interest in right-handed hitters like Alex Bregman, Christian Walker and Pete Alonso, but adding Bellinger would add more balance to their lineup.

The Yankees have also talked to the Houston Astros about superstar left-handed hitting outfielder Kyle Tucker, but that slugger would cost a lot in a trade, including AL Rookie of the Year winner Luis Gil being mentioned became.

As for Warren, the 25-year-old right-hander had a 5.91 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 23 starts (109.2 innings) for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2024. He also gave his Made his MLB debut with the Yankees and posted a 10.32 ERA in five starts (six appearances) in 22.2 innings in the big leagues last season.

Warren’s best season in the minors came in 2023, where he posted a 3.35 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 25 starts (27 appearances, 129 innings) between Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre 10- 4 reached.