Crazy Yankees conspiracy theory emerges on social media after Cubs-Kyle Tucker trade

When the Chicago Cubs traded for Kyle Tucker on Friday, many suspected that was the final step for the New York Yankees to acquire Cody Bellinger. It was the obvious fallback plan after the pipe dream of landing Tucker came and went rather quickly.

But some Yankees fans stepped back and thought: "Wait, why would the Cubs trade Bellinger now? They only have Tucker for a year. They only have Bellinger for 1-2 more years. Isn't this the time to go for it with players under contract in the short term?"

Per reports, the Cubs are still trying to offload Bellinger, but there's a holdup in regard to how much money they'll be eating in a hypothetical deal. Based on how those talks have been progressing, it very much doesn't seem like Chicago will be receiving MLB talent for Belli.

So, again, how does this make sense? The Cubs are going to shed ~$20 million, receive a prospect or two, and then what? Sign a couple of bargain bin players? That's their plan for 2025?

As we remain confused, we can't help but give this wild conspiracy some thought that surfaced on social media courtesy of Ben Verlander and a few others.

Yankees Rumors: Do Cubs have grand plan with NYY after Kyle Tucker trade?

Shortly after the news of the trade came out, it was reported Astros owner Jim Crane did not want to send Tucker to the Yankees, as he was reluctant to deal with one of the team's chief rivals. Whether that's true or not, it's at least believable.

Let's say it is true. Did the Cubs take that opportunity to acquire Tucker for very little (the package they sent to Houston barely affects their organizational outlook) and then turn around and talk an even bigger blockbuster with the Yankees, who now might be more inclined to take on all of Bellinger's money if Tucker is involved? Maybe they can offload more salary in the form of Jameson Taillon? Maybe Ian Happ assuming someone like Jasson Dominguez is involved in the deal? Or maybe just the Tucker-Bellinger combo could net the Cubs all the pieces they want from the Yankees.

In reality, the Yankees' farm system is weak, but if they were willing to talk Dominguez, Spencer Jones, Will Warren and/or others, that could put the Cubs on track to re-tool relatively quickly with the ability to introduce all of those talents in 2025 while getting a good amount of money off their books.

Full disclosure: we do not believe this to be true at all. But it does have us wondering what's next for the Cubs as we try to make sense of their situation. The Yankees need to make a few more moves to have fans comfortable about the 2025 situation. Bellinger is a start. Bellinger and Tucker? We'll be doing backflips. But let's not let the holiday cheer get too out of hand.