Centerfielder Cody Bellinger is off the free-agent market. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Bellinger is set to return to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to a three-year, $80 million contract with the franchise.
According to Passan, Bellinger will receive an opt-out in each of the first two years of his deal, allowing him to hit the free agent market once again if he wishes to do so. He will earn $30 million in 2024 and 2025, while the last year of the contract comes with a $20 million salary.
After a down season in 2022 and being let go by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bellinger inked a one-year deal with the Cubs. He enjoyed a bounce-back campaign, having a career-best batting average of .307 and adding 20 home runs, 97 RBIs, and a career-high 20 stolen bases in 130 games. Bellinger received votes for the NL MVP award while being recognized as the NL Comeback Player of the Year at the end of the season.
Bellinger was considered to be among the top free agents this winter, but his market never actually took off as he and his agent, Scott Boras, envisioned. Teams were reportedly cautious due to his previous dips in form, and with a lack of suitable offers, Bellinger opted to get a flexible contract with the Cubs.
Bellinger spent the first six years of his MLB career with the Dodgers. He is a two-time All-Star and has an NL MVP award from 2019. The Scottsdale, Arizona native also has a World Series win with the Dodgers in 2020.
