Cody Bellinger’s Return to the Cubs: A Major Offseason Acquisition

Negotiations and Contract Details

The question of whether free agent Cody Bellinger will return to the Cubs after an outstanding season has hung over Cubs camp this spring. The center fielder’s return to the team has been expressed by Chicago’s players with no shortage of enthusiasm.

Early in Spring Training, Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner made a joke, saying, “We can say his name.” He’d be very welcome here. That would be incredible.

After much negotiation, the Cubs and Bellinger reached a three-year, $80 million contract that allows for opt-outs following the first two seasons, a source informed Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The agreement needs to be verified physically before it can be considered official, and the Cubs have not done so. The transaction was initially reported on Sunday by Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The Right Fit for the Cubs

Bellinger’s return to the Cubs always seemed like the right thing to do, especially while his free agency continued and other suitors were focusing on other options. Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, have constantly been asked if they would be open to taking a shorter-term contract from Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who has a track record of standing by perceived worth.

Earlier this spring, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts stated, “I think Jed does a really nice job.” “He understands that money can only be spent once, and with so many young players rising through the Minors, it makes sense to avoid having too many long-term contracts.” And in whatever he does, I believe he’s always done a pretty good job of striking a balance between the present and the future.

Defensive Versatility and Offensive Strength

For the Cubs, who need a player at both first base and center field, Bellinger possesses the defensive versatility to play both positions. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, ranked No. 16 on the Top 100 list, is the Cubs’ top prospect according to MLB Pipeline. This summer, the team made a deal to acquire prospect Michael Busch, ranked No. 51, as a first base possibility.

According to Feinsand, Bellinger will get $30 million in 2024, $30 million in 2025 (assuming he doesn’t opt out), and $20 million in 2026 (assuming he doesn’t opt out after the second season).

Strengthening the Pitching Staff

The Cubs acquired pitchers Shota Imanaga (four years, $53 million) and Héctor Neris (one year, $9 million) to bolster their pitching staff, making Bellinger’s signing their third significant offseason acquisition. In addition to bringing Busch to first base via a trade with the Dodgers, Bellinger’s decision to stay puts the Cubs’ offensive nucleus together, which contributed to the team finishing third in the National League in runs (819) last season.

Opportunities for Young Players

Bellinger’s addition means Busch will still have a chance to contend for the first base job in the spring. Bellinger would take over as the starting center fielder right away, but the Cubs also have Mike Tauchman, an accomplished backup, and two prospects, Crow-Armstrong and Alexander Canario, who are fighting for spots on the Opening Day roster.

Teammate Support and Expectations

Crow-Armstrong supported Bellinger’s return earlier this spring, despite the possibility that it might affect his chances of making the Majors.

“I adore Cody.” Bottom line, that’s my friend,” Crow-Armstrong remarked. “As a friend, teammate, and guy in the clubhouse, he was always really nice to me.” You hear the guys discussing him. That man is the favorite of all. It’s the same thing that everyone has. However, your performance on the field determines everything in this game. That’s what it is then. It would be wonderful if Cody returned. That increases our chances of success.

Looking Ahead

Bellinger had an outstanding first season with the Dodgers, taking up the 2017 NL first of the Year award, the 2019 NL MVP award, and a World Series championship in 2020. During that time, he was named to two All-Star teams and won a Gold Glove Award. Bellinger’s offensive OPS+ of 66 in 2022–22 was 34% below the MLB average due to injuries, which also prevented the Dodgers from tendering him before the 2023 season.

Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cubs, which will allow him to regain his position as one of the best players in the league. He delivered on that promise, leading the Cubs in scoring last season with 26 home runs, 29 doubles, 20 stolen bases, and 97 RBIs while hitting.307/.356/.525. From July 1 until the end of the season, he led MLB with 75 RBIs, was awarded the NL’s Player of the Month (with a.400 average), and finished with a.984 OPS versus lefties.

Among the four Major League players who batted at least.300 last season with 25 or more home runs and 20 or more steals, Bellinger was among just three others, including Freddie Freeman, Ronald Acuña Jr., and American League MVP Shohei Ohtani.

Teammate Testimonials

Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele declared early in training that “the guys that played with Belli last year, obviously want him here again.” He was a fantastic teammate, friend, and clubhouse presence for us. Of course, what he accomplished on the field was truly exceptional. However, I would think that almost everyone who collaborated with him the previous year agrees that we would all prefer to work with him once more.”