(670 The Score) Cubs center fielder Cody Bellinger harbors plenty of confidence that his new club is in for a big 2023 season.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Bellinger said on Inside the Clubhouse on 670 The Score on Saturday. “I know that’s what everybody says and it’s kind of the cliché thing, but I really mean it, man. I think that the energy and the vibe in here is amazing. And I think as the days go on, we’re all playing together more and we’re practicing together more and we’re just hanging out and bantering. I think we have such a solid group of guys in this locker room that there’s just going to be good baseball. In my opinion, I just think there’s going to be great baseball played. And that’s fun, just going out there every single day with your guys and your brothers and having each other’s backs and just playing the game of baseball. And I think that’s what we’re going to be doing really well this year.”
Coming off a 74-88 campaign in 2022, the Cubs added Bellinger, shortstop Dansby Swanson, right-hander Jameson Taillon, first baseman/outfielder Trey Mancini and others this offseason. Bellinger, a 27-year-old former MVP, joined the Cubs on a one-year, $17.5-million deal in December, and he’s looking to use the change of scenery to get out of his multi-year rut.
Bellinger hit just .203 over the last three seasons. He batted .210 with 19 home runs and 68 RBIs for the Dodgers in 2022. In his MVP campaign of 2019, Bellinger hit .305 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs. Bellinger is also a two-time All-Star and earned the Gold Glove in 2019.
“This is my career and my story,” Bellinger said. “Hopefully like I said, 15 years down the road, from these struggles, I’m going to learn a lot. I think I’m going to come out even better because of it just because I’ve learned so much about myself and who I am and who I can be. I’m just excited to continue to have the opportunity to play baseball.”
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