Cubs trade Cody Bellinger to Yankees, turn attention to Sasaki

The big picture: If the Cubs are successful at luring Sasaki, this offseason would be a huge success in reloading the roster to challenge the Brewers in the NL Central.

State of play: Bellinger is on his way to New York after the Cubs traded him and his hefty contract for reliever Cody Poteet.

The intrigue: The Cubs now turn their attention to Sasaki. The team feels like they have a chance with Sasaki because of recent success with Japanese players Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga, plus the signing of Yu Darvish in 2018.

What they're saying: "Seiya and Shota have had really good experiences," team president Jed Hoyer told MLB.com at the Winter Meetings last week.

• "I think we're an appealing destination for any Japanese player."

Zoom in: It's not just Sasaki. The Cubs are also pursuing Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo and signed catcher Carson Kelly

Zoom out: When the MLB Winter Meetings began, the prevailing thought was that the Cubs were looking to trade Bellinger to make room for some of the young players in the farm system.

• Instead, Bellinger is being replaced by the 27-year-old Tucker, giving the Cubs an upgrade with a power-hitting left-handed bat who also plays gold-glove defense.

Yes, but: Tucker is a one-year rental unless the Cubs offer the all-star an extension, which would probably make Tucker the highest-paid hitter on the team.

Between the lines: These aggressive moves suggest the Cubs are looking to play for a World Series now, instead of managing the bottom line and the status quo at Wrigley Field.