- Bellinger, 28, tested free agency in November after declining a $25 million, one-year option
- He is a world champion (2020), former NL MVP (2019) and two-time All Star
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The Chicago Cubs and free agent Cody Bellinger have agreed to a three-year contract worth $80 million after the former NL MVP (2019) sought terms in the $200 million range during the offseason.
ESPN reported late Saturday that the deal includes opt-outs after each of the first two years. If he stays for the entire duration of his new contract, Bellinger will make $30 million in each of the first two seasons and $20 million in the final year.
Bellinger, 28, played for the Cubs on a one-year, $17.5 million deal in 2023 and enjoyed a bounce-back season, hitting .307 with 26 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 97 RBIs while playing first base and center field .
It was previously reported that Bellinger’s agent – Scott Boras, who represents nearly 200 players – had lobbied “for a package in excess of $200 million,” although MLB executives were “unwilling to pay that much for a player battling multiple injuries . during the past years.
Bellinger had also already decided to test the free agent market at the start of the offseason, lowering his $25 million end cap.
Outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has returned to Chicago after testing free agency
Bellinger’s agent Scott Boras, who represents nearly 200 MLB players, sought a huge payday for his client this offseason, but to no avail
‘Boras is sticking to the money quoted at the start of the free agency market,’ an MLB executive previously said ESPN.
‘It will last well into the winter. Not giving in.’
A lingering shoulder injury from the 2020 postseason with the Dodgers led Bellinger to two subpar seasons and his departure from Los Angeles.
The Arizona native, the 2017 Rookie of the Year and 2019 National League MVP, was a fourth-round pick of the Dodgers in the 2013 draft.
Bellinger’s new deal comes after the Cubs agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Japanese pitcher Shot Imanaga last month
In seven seasons with the Dodgers (2017-22) and Cubs, Bellinger has hit .258 with 178 home runs, 519 RBIs and an .829 OPS.
The Cubs took a big step last month when they agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga, which could become a five-year, $80 million contract.
It had been a largely quiet offseason for Chicago following the hiring of manager Craig Counsell.
The Cubs finished second in the NL Central at 83-79 and missed the postseason by one game after falling behind last season.