Reports: One obstacle preventing the Cubs and Cody Bellinger reunion
Cubs supporters eagerly anticipate the day that, hopefully, Cody Bellinger re-signs with the North Side as MLB free agency moves forward at the speed of molasses. Numerous reports indicate that the Cubs are the front-runners to win the NL Comeback Player of the Year award. However, there is one obstacle that prevents the reunion.
“Ultimately, the widespread belief within the industry is that Bellinger and the Cubs will reunite, but only if/when his asking price comes down,” Mark Feinsand of the Major League Baseball wrote recently.
Feinsand’s article states that Bellinger’s asking price is estimated to be well than $200 million. Furthermore, Scott Boras, Bellinger’s agent, is a skilled negotiator who is renowned for his obstinacy and exorbitant demands. At the MLB Winter Meetings in early December, Boras stated, “Our platform is Cody’s let us know that he’s listening to everyone involved, and there are no exclusions.”
The Cubs can afford to be adamant about Bellinger’s asking price. It appears that a number of clubs have taken additional action to satisfy needs that Bellinger would have supplied. As an illustration, the New York Yankees, who were before thought to be interested in Bellinger, strengthened their outfield by acquiring Juan Soto. Additionally, they have Anthony Rizzo at first base, which makes Bellinger’s signing less likely.
To secure their outfield, the Toronto Blue Jays signed Kevin Kiermaier. Kiermaier, George Springer, and Daulton Varsho are their current outfielders. Additionally, the Blue Jays’ chances of chasing Bellinger have diminished with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base. Feinsand, nevertheless, thinks that signing Bellinger is not necessarily precluded by their acquisition of Kiermaier.
This offseason, the San Francisco Giants also signed Jung Hoo Lee, a sensation from Korea. Furthermore, it doesn’t seem likely that Bellinger will wind up at first base with Lamonte Wade Jr., Luis Matos, and Michael Conforto in the outfield. Bellinger would help fill the needs for left-handed hitting, power bats, and playing in the outfield or first base, so the Cubs are definitely keeping an eye on him. Jed Hoyer will undoubtedly communicate with Bellinger’s attorney.
“On Sunday, we had dinner with him. We’ve had a great conversation,” Hoyer stated at the beginning of October. “I think his experience was great, and he loves Wrigley Field and the fans.” We would adore having him return. “We will speak with him frequently. There will be a process involved. It will take some time to unfold. I believe in Cody’s universe, and communication between us is inevitable.