The Chicago Cubs and outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80-million contract that includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Bellinger, the reigning NL Comeback Player of the Year, swatted 26 homers and produced 97 RBIs last season, marking a return to prominence for the former MVP. He posted a .307/.356/.525 slash line for the Cubs in 2023.
The two-time All-Star joined the Cubs on a one-year, $17.5-million deal last year. The pact contained a mutual option for $25 million, which Bellinger declined.
Bellinger, 28, was reportedly seeking a $200-million contract this offseason through renowned agent Scott Boras. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said Monday the club was still in contact with the two-time All-Star, but added that talks hadn’t reached the “negotiation” phase.
Bellinger came up with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and was a staple in their lineup early on, winning Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in the National League over his first three seasons. His production took a nosedive after that, and L.A. non-tendered him following the 2022 season, leading him to join the Cubs.
The Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants were among other teams linked to Bellinger this offseason but those rumors fizzled as the winter progressed.
