“Just so excited, man,” exclaimed the Chicago Cubs upon Cody Bellinger’s return as a free agent.
It’s Cody Bellinger again.
Yes, exactly where he should be.
In an attempt to disprove everyone, Bellinger, who has been brutally informed by teams throughout the league that his 2023 comeback season was a fluke, signed to a three-year, $80 million contract late on Saturday night.
Although it was a significant drop from the $200 million+ deal he was initially pursuing, his bridge-style contract gives him the chance to prove to the world that he is still among the game’s best players.
Bellinger’s salary is set at $30 million in 2024, $30 million in 2025, and $20 million in 2026. Following each season, he will have the option to opt out of the contract and become a free agent once more.
Bellinger receives a large yearly pay, and the Cubs are shielded from having to commit long term in case he changes into the talent who captured the imagination of the supporters and team.
Cubs veteran starter Kyle Hendricks said, “Just so excited man.” “I believe you can see the responses here. It’s what we’ve always hoped for. We are aware of his deep desire to be present. It’s really incredible for our ballclub that everything worked out for both parties.”
Bellinger earned the Cubs’ Comeback Player of the Year and placed tenth in the MVP voting. He was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers following the 2022 season. In batting (.307), RBI (97), slugging percentage (.525), and OPS (.881), he topped the squad. Since his MVP season in 2019, he has hit the most home homers with 26.
Cubs infielder Nick Madrigal said, “I was checking the (free-agent) tracker almost all offseason, hoping for him to come back.” Delighted to see him wearing a Cubs uniform again, rather than being relieved.
“We saw what he could do for this team, and everyone really warmed up to him in the locker room. He’s a huge influence in the clubhouse as well as on the field. Without him here, I can’t fathom.”
Infielder David Bote of the Cubs stated, “He was not just a fan favorite, but he was a favorite in here too.”
All winter long, Cubs supporters begged ownership to sign Bellinger. The Cubs players persuaded the front administration to bring him back during the spring. Ultimately, the Cubs’ perseverance paid off during a three-month standoff.
The market Bellinger predicted never materialized, with 11 clubs cutting payroll this winter, including five teams cutting compensation by at least $40 million.
Knowing that the desire to rejoin the Cubs was shared by both of them, it made no sense for him to continue sitting out.
Hendricks remarked, “He was such a leader for this team.” It’s simply incredible how everything worked out, yet this squad is clearly missing a big, big component. It’s going to be so much fun to keep the core together now. “Hmm.Definitely, there was a short gap at this place before he returned.”
After their disastrous September collapse that left them one game out of a postseason berth the previous season, the Cubs now feel they have what it takes to win the NL Central. They signed Japanese starter Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract, brought in veteran reliever Hector Neris ($9 million), veteran outfielder David Peralta (minor league contract), and traded for infielder Michael Busch. They also hired manager Craig Counsell from the Milwaukee Brewers with a record eight-year, $40 million contract.
When Bellinger returns and pushes center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong back to the minors, you know the impact he makes, and he seemed as real as anyone in the clubhouse.
“It was an excellent method to awaken,” remarked Crow-Armstrong, who was full of admiration for Bellinger’s mentorship. He connects with every member of the team, and maybe this year he will bring the same enthusiasm. I am completely confident that he will.
Prior to Bellinger’s physical examination, the Cubs gave him embraces throughout the morning and stated that, in addition to his bat and glove, his calm, collected demeanor played a significant role in the team’s success. They claimed that he seldom ever shown emotion.
Crow-Armstrong remarked, “I’ve noticed that he’s never too high, never too low.” Thus, he is able to handle the positive aspects of his day and remains the same person during the negative ones. It’s quite contagious, much like when teams start hitting.”
Given that Bellinger was able to return for a reasonable cost, the Cubs now have the opportunity to reenter the free agent market. Matt Chapman, third baseman, and starters Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are still available. The Cubs are aware that adding Bellinger immediately elevates them back to the top of the NL Central, so why not try to take the lead once more?
Although the Cubs front office has not given any guarantees, similar to what happened with Bellinger, they will wait patiently for their price and, should they like what they see, will jump at the chance. For today, though, the Cubs can rejoice over acquiring the player they believed they most desperately needed to be in October baseball.
Their major free agent acquisition from a year ago, shortstop Dansby Swanson, said, “It’s nice to keep it going, but at some point we’ve still got to improve.” We’ve taken those moves, I think, in a variety of ways this offseason. ..
“Now, itโs just time to make all that work.”