NASHVILLE (670 The Score) – With a crowd of about 75 reporters at his side, powerful agent Scott Boras held his usual state of the address at the Winter Meetings on Wednesday.
One of his high-profile clients is center fielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger, who has hit free agency after having a strong season for the Cubs in 2023. While the Cubs have focused plenty on their pursuit of two-way star Shohei Ohtani in recent weeks, they still have interest in re-signing Bellinger.
Bellinger hit .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and an .881 OPS in 130 games for the Cubs this past season, when he won National League Comeback Player of the Year honors. Bellinger is a superb defender in both the outfield and at first base. His big season came after he struggled in his last few years with the Dodgers.
It remains unclear how much money Bellinger is seeking on his next contract, but it will be a lucrative, long-term deal. Much still needs to play out, but perhaps helping the Cubs’ chance to re-sign Bellinger was the news Wednesday that the Yankees were on the verge of acquiring star outfielder Juan Soto in a trade with the Padres. The Yankees also had interest in Bellinger.
"Cody has made it known he is listening to everyone involved,” Boras said. “There are no exclusions for him. When you win an MVP at a young age, there are a lot of challenges for you at that point. Injuries occur. In his case, a broken leg and having had surgery to his shoulder after colliding with a teammate. All those things that occur affect your performance. All of my guys after those events after 28 have gotten better. (Bryce) Harper and (Corey) Seager both had MVP-type seasons. They get better at that age, and we expect that with Cody.”
Boras also shed light on the Cubs’ mindset as Chicago comes off an 83-79 season.
"You always hope that major-market franchises are in full win mode,” Boras said. “There are many ways to win in the game of baseball. I think Jed Hoyer's goal is to do both trades and free agency. They have gone through this period of building up the minor leagues. They can add major talents that can take them above where they have been the last three or four years.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.