Part 3/9:
The Yankees’ acquisition of Bellinger involved the Chicago Cubs sending not only the former MVP but also cash considerations. The Cubs will receive Cody Poteet, a 30-year-old pitcher who posted a respectable 2.2 ERA in 24 innings last year, although his strikeout rates were noticeably low. The puzzling discrepancy between his minor league and major league performance raises some eyebrows, with many hoping his experience can lead to more consistent results in the big leagues.
Poteet is set to play a role similar to that of Hayden Wesneski, potentially filling in as a spot starter or reliever. Meanwhile, the Cubs also maneuvered to get some of the cash back by trading Matt Thiel to the Chicago White Sox, completing a series of strategic moves that reshuffle their roster.