CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Before the Cubs can decide with certainty what their offseason approach will be after a disappointing 2024 season ended with them missing the playoffs again, they need to find out whether outfielder Cody Bellinger will return for the 2025 season or choose to opt out and hit free agency this winter.
Bellinger’s choice will help determine how much financial flexibility the Cubs have this winter, and his decision will be due by early November. Bellinger plans to soon discuss what’s next with those closest to him.
“I will go back and talk with my family,” Bellinger told 670 The Score recently. “There is no reason to wait if the answer is in those discussions. So we will have continued talks and figure out what is best for me and my family. I will relax at first and then figure it out. I will decide with my wife after a few days of relaxing. I didn't have time to think about it as the season was going on. Even though it's in the back of your head, there is no legitimate thought as to what you are going to do. You are just waking up and competing each day. Truth is, I have not thought about what I will do next.”
Bellinger, who’s 29, hit .266 with 18 homers, 78 RBIs and a .751 OPS in 130 games in 2024, when he was slowed a bit by injuries. Bellinger signed a three-year, $80-million deal with the Cubs in February, a contract that included opt-outs after each of the first two seasons.
"We as players have such a unique opportunity to provide for our families,” Bellinger said. "We are lucky to play this game to do that. I try not to ever take that for granted despite the fact the game can be super hard sometimes and you can get super frustrated and let down when things don't go your way. I also don't want to forget that I am fortunate to play the game I love, at the highest level. I do have an opportunity to take care of my family, their kids and my great-grandkids. It's a special opportunity for me, and I will never take that for granted.”
At his season-ending press conference Tuesday, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer indicated he was uncertain about the decision that Bellinger would make.
“We knew if he had a good season, he would have a lot of options,” Hoyer said. “He had a good year, so I am sure he will have options. Obviously, he didn't quite have the year he had (in 2023). Last year, he was an MVP candidate. But if you look at the totality of the year he had, with roughly a .800 OPS on the road, his home OPS was roughly .200 points lower than last year. Wrigley played that way for our hitters. But I expect him to have a lot of options.”
Until the Cubs have clarity on Bellinger’s future, they’ll have to work on drawing up multiple plans for the offseason.
“Cody's decision will impact team-building,” Hoyer said. “We will have to figure out what positions we need to build. He is very versatile, so it will have an impact. Again, we think he will have a lot of options.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.