Cody Bellinger has signed with the Chicago Cubs, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Jeff Passan of ESPN also reported the deal is worth one-year, $17.5 million. Bellinger had reportedly received multi-year contracts from other ball clubs, but the former MVP wanted to sign a one-year, prove-it deal for the 2023 season.
Bellinger hasn’t been able to replicate his amazing 2019 season, when he clubbed 47 home runs, recorded a 1.035 OPS, led MLB in total bases, and won the NL MVP. Since 2020, he has hit only 41 home runs, slugged .376, and recorded a 74 OPS+.
While Bellinger hasn’t been productive with his bat, he has been stellar defensively in center field. He recorded 7 outs above average in center field with the Dodgers and has never had a recorded negative OAA at the position.
With the Cubs, Bellinger will presumably take over center field. In 2021, promising rookie Christopher Morel held down the position for 58 games but is capable of playing all over the diamond. The Cubs will also have an outfield position available after it was reported that Jason Heyward will not be with the team in 2023.
The Cubs are looking to improve after a lackluster 2022 season. They finished the season with a 74-88 record after adding NPB star Seiya Suzuki and former Met Marcus Stroman. Bellinger also looks to benefit from the one-year deal with Chicago. He has been working with Matt and Jackson Holliday during the 2022 offseason and will look to sign a lengthy, and more lucrative contract if he has a bounce-back season.
