CHICAGO (670 The Score) – As Cubs center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has reasserted himself as a star in a resurgent season, the looming question is what type of contract he’ll command in free agency and from which team.
For their part, the Cubs would love to have Bellinger back.
“As good as Chicago has been for him, it's been better for us,” Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said recently. “He's been amazing. He has sort of been the centerpiece for this run we have had for the last six to eight weeks. He knows how we feel about him. We would love to keep him here. He has been a great fit in the clubhouse for us. We will see.”
The Cubs have previously-released outfielder Jason Heyward’s $21 million-plus coming off the books after this season ends, so they’ll have the money to make noise in free agency. As expected, the Cubs do plan to pursue two-way star Shohei Ohtani when he hits free agency, sources said, so Bellinger, powerful agent Scott Boras and the Cubs might all need to wait for a read on the Ohtani sweepstakes before finalizing any of their respective plans.
As for Bellinger, he has played questions about his future close to the vest while praising his Cubs teammates and the support staff throughout the organization.
“It's been a fun, fun year,” said Bellinger, who's working on a one-year, $17.5-million contract in 2023. “I love Wrigley, and it's a great organization. It's really great here.”
The 28-year-old Bellinger fits right into the Cubs’ goal of building a consistent winner again. Beyond his superb offensive output – he’s hitting .324 with 20 homers, 64 RBIs and a .933 OPS in 92 games – Bellinger is a strong defender and baserunner. His defensive versatility has also been a key for the Cubs, and he has rebounded in the prime of his career after struggling at the plate for the Dodgers the past few years.
"I actually try not to think that far ahead,” Bellinger said about free agency. "The same thing happened when I was asked about getting traded at the deadline months ago. For me, it's about the 40 games we have left and the fact we are in a playoff race. The only thing I am focusing on is going out every day and helping this team win.”
Bellinger is hitting .389 since July 1, and he was named the National League Player of the Month for July. Amid his success, he has continually credited his teammates. After a disappointing 74-88 campaign in 2022, the Bellinger-led Cubs are in the playoff mix this season, holding the third and final wild-card spot in the NL entering play Monday evening.
“One to nine, we have a deep lineup,” Bellinger said. “It's certainly not just me. It's about the guys around me who always put together incredible at-bats day in and day out. As a unit, we have solid game plans and a bunch of really good baseball players.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
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