Cody Bellinger was a fan favourite for the Los Angeles , however after two consecutive poor seasons in 2021 and 2022 he was non-tendered. Flash ahead to 2024. Rumors have swirled that Bellinger may train his player-option in November.
That makes it unlikely he’ll reunite with the — or discover the free agent market in any capability, based on USA Right now’s Bob Nightengale. Bellinger is “absolutely anticipated” to stick with the Chicago Cubs, as a substitute of returning to free company within the winter.
As soon as Bellinger signed a one-year take care of Chicago, he had a incredible 2023 marketing campaign the place he slashed .307/.356/.525. He additionally recorded 26 house runs and 20 stolen bases.
In 2023, Bellinger positioned within the prime 10 of NL MVP voting and he earned his second Silver Slugger award.
An enormous payday appeared imminent for the previous , but it surely by no means got here. Bellinger joined quite a few free brokers that struggled to discover a deal worthy of signing. In the long run, he selected to return to Chicago on a three-year, $80 million deal. The contract included opt-outs after every season.
The 29-year-old didn’t have a robust a season this yr. He’s recorded a .269/.332/.468 slash line. His 2024 marketing campaign doubtless wouldn’t produce appreciable presents on the open market if he had been to train his opt-out possibility.
The extra doubtless state of affairs could be that Bellinger would return to the Cubs and return to free company forward of the 2025 season. His possibilities could also be higher for his choices available on the market, given he performs higher in 2025.
Though Bellinger doubtless received’t be reuniting with the Los Angeles membership, he did make a go to to Stadium final week.
He reminded the what they misplaced by hitting a house run within the Cubs’ 10-4 win within the collection opener on Sept. 9.
The previous was candid when requested concerning the nostalgia of returning to Chavez Ravine.
“I undoubtedly do,” Bellinger advised Sarah Wexler of MLB.com. “I believe even simply exhibiting as much as the ballpark, seeing the safety guards and seeing everybody. It’s a bizarre feeling, but it surely’s a cool feeling. I all the time like coming again.”
Bellinger spent six seasons with the . The outfielder was member of the 2020 workforce that went on to win the World Sequence. Bellinger received the Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr in 2017, NL Championship Sequence MVP in 2018, and the NL MVP Award in 2019. However he was non-tendered after the 2022 season, throughout which he slashed .210/.265/.389.
Photograph Credit score: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports activities
Have you ever subscribed to our Channel but? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to remain updated on all the newest information, rumors, interviews, dwell streams, and extra!
