The Chicago Cubs are still Cody Bellinger’s best choice.
Regarding national insiders’ opinions on the situation, not much will change until Cody Bellinger signs a new contract.
Before the summer, the belief was that Bellinger’s next contract would probably be a return to the Cubs if his free agency continued until the start of Spring Training. That is still the most likely outcome, as Mark Feinsand and Jon Morosi discussed in a recent MLB dot com free agency reminder how Bellinger fits in naturally with the Cubs.
“A reunion between Bellinger and the Cubs seems just as likely, but I would have to go with Montgomery and the Rangers. Bellinger’s bat hasn’t been replaced in Chicago’s lineup this winter, therefore Bellinger needs to return until the Cubs switch to Chapman.”
“A reunion between Bellinger and the North Siders seems like the best fit, in my opinion. Bellinger, who struggled greatly toward the conclusion of his Dodger career, found a home in Chicago. The Cubs have flexibility at his two spots, first base and center field.”
The Cubs are unwilling to go outside of their price range, and Scott Boras is still looking for a deal for Bellinger that is at least $200MM in value. Bellinger will not be coming back to the Cubs if he receives an offer worth more than $200MM, most likely from the San Francisco Giants or the Toronto Blue Jays. But the fact that he hasn’t gotten one of these offers suggests that none will be made.
In the unlikely event that Boras sticks to his asking price for Bellinger, the Cubs might decide to go with Matt Chapman or Jordan Montgomery. However, if Montgomery is selected, the Cubs will rely primarily on their pitching staff and run prevention to win the 2019 season—defying Jed Hoyer’s knowledge that the team hasn’t been able to blow teams out in recent years.