MLB insider’s dream scenario links Cody Bellinger to Pirates, Tarik Skubal to Dodgers ahead of Winter Meetings

The last time the Pittsburgh Pirates spent $100 million on payroll was back in 2016. But with Paul Skenes on their roster, the team has been eyeing a window of opportunity to contend

It was reported that the team is expected to spend this winter, but no one saw them as serious contenders for any marquee free agents. But according to The Athletic writer and MLB insider, Jim Bowden, writing in his column on Friday, the Pirates could swoop in and pull off a "dream" deal with Cody Bellinger.

"The deal will shock everyone, because the Pirates would actually be spending money and Bellinger would be willing to go there," the article read. "The deal won’t include a no-trade clause, which will make Bellinger a main character in the trade rumor mill for the life of the contract."

The Pirates spent $87 million last season. With several trades made towards the end of the 2025 campaign and arbitration increases taken into account, they are projected to have a $66 million payroll currently.

Bellinger opted out of a $25 million offer attached to his contract for the 2026 season, meaning his salary, which is expected to be higher than that figure, will be nearly half as much as the Pirates' current payroll figure.

Bowden also floated around his dream trade scenarios, sending Detroit Tigers ace and two-time consecutive American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the two-time defending champions Los Angeles Dodgers, in exchange for pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan and prospect outfielder Zyhir Hope.

"The Dodgers’ rotation goes from special to legendary with the addition of Skubal and his back-to-back Cy Young Awards," Bowden wrote. "The Tigers say goodbye to their ace but add another top-of-the-rotation arm who is signed for three seasons, a young starter they can slide right into the rotation and a high ceiling prospect who eventually could form a dynamic outfield with Riley Greene and Max Clark."

Skubal has been linked to a possible trade as he approaches his final year of arbitration in 2026. Glasnow has three years left on his $136.5 million contract currently. Sheehan was an important arm in the Dodgers' rotation this past season, while Hope has been touted to take up an outfield role in the future.

Yankees slated to sign Kyle Tucker as per Jim Bowden

Jim Bowden predicted the New York Yankees to sign Kyle Tucker to a ten-year $427 million contract. According to him, the Yankees losing out on Juan Soto last season, and signing only Max Fried to an eight-year, $218 million deal gives them room to spend on a free agent like Tucker.

"As long as Tucker is willing to play left field, I think he’d be the perfect fit at Yankee Stadium for the next decade," Bowden noted.

"That contract may seem like a lot of money, but think about it this way — it’s a savings of $338 million over what Juan Soto was paid last offseason."

Bowden will be bemused to know that the Yankees are reportedly looking to stay under $300 million payroll for the 2026 season. They are currently projected to spend $278 million.