Star free agent Cody Bellinger has signed a three-year, $80 million contract to remain with the Chicago Cubs, according to ESPN. The 28-year-old outfielder will have opt-out clauses after both the first and second years of the deal.
In the 2023 season, Bellinger posted impressive stats with a .307 batting average, .356 on-base percentage, and a .525 slugging percentage. He drove in 97 runs and hit 26 home runs in 130 games for the Cubs.
Despite his strong performance, the Cubs finished the season with an 83-79 record, placing second in the National League (NL) Central and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Cody Bellinger (Credits: Sports Illustrated)
Prior to joining the Cubs, Bellinger spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was a two-time All-Star and won the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 2019. He was part of the Dodgers’ World Series-winning team in 2020.
Bellinger had been dealing with a shoulder injury since the 2020 playoffs, which affected his performance in the following seasons. However, he had a standout season with the Cubs in 2023, winning the NL Comeback Player of the Year award and finishing 10th in the NL MVP voting.
When Bellinger entered free agency, he turned down a $25 million salary, hoping to secure a lucrative contract similar to Carlos Correa’s deal with the Minnesota Twins.
Correa signed a three-year, $105 million contract with the Twins in 2022, opted out after the first year, and then agreed to a six-year, $200 million extension. Both Bellinger and Correa are represented by the same agent, Scott Boras.
During the offseason, the Cubs made several roster moves to strengthen their team. They signed left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga to a four-year, $53 million contract and reliever Hector Neris to a one-year, $9 million deal. Additionally, they acquired 26-year-old prospect Michael Busch from the Dodgers to bolster their first base position.
