New wrinkle proves Yankees have all the leverage in Cody Bellinger trade talks with Cubs

The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs are in a Cody Bellinger staring contest, but a trade should come someday. According to MLB insider Mark Feinsand on Monday night, though the two sides are still "far apart" financially, "industry sources expect the Yankees and Cubs to come to a deal at some point."

And, if they don't? The Yankees will move on to first base and outfield alternatives. The Cubs? They'll be stuck with a large contract for a player who's been squeezed out of their outfield plans. But no matter. Surely, they can budget around it. Except...

...last year, they managed to forget all about it, somehow, allowing the deal to impede their progress this offseason. As Meghan Montemurro helpfully reminded everyone on MLB Network Monday afternoon, Chicago unintentionally tripped over the luxury tax threshold last season by a couple of hundred thousand dollars, and Bellinger's deal was no help in that department.

Lingering resentment and a desire to make sure such an "accident" doesn't happen again, along with the Kyle Tucker trade eating Bellinger's outfield spot, would indicate the Cubs are pressured to make a move here. The Yankees have alternatives. The Cubs have a payroll glut.

Yankees waiting out Cody Bellinger trade as Cubs grow more aggravated with contract

Yes, the effects of this accidental taxation are already being felt. A swift Bellinger deal can do nothing to erase them retroactively. The Cubs made a mistake, and they'll pay penalties through the remainder of the offseason -- either literal, or by omission, with the added tax dissuading them from signing QO stars.

Still, this reveals exactly why the Cubs are so frustrated with the Bellinger corner they backed themselves into (with the help of Scott Boras). No matter what they say publicly, they've had enough of this deal. And the Yankees can wait all month. Eventually, that contract's going to get moved. If Chicago gets traction with another club, so be it.

But the Yankees all but know Bellinger, and certainly seem to believe that no one else will be more willing than they are to eat such a significant chunk, even if the Cubs would like them to blink and chew off more chunks.

Nate Lowe? Anthony Santander? Josh Naylor? The choices are out there, and none of them will help you get an ounce of relief, Chicago. Whether the clock's ticking or stopped, the Yankees will be waiting for you to reconsider, as they move elsewhere on the chessboard.