(Audacy) Outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger, one of powerful agent Scott Boras' big four clients who remains unsigned, seems like a natural fit to return to the Cubs. That doesn't mean it's a foregone conclusion though.
Bellinger had a bounceback year with the Cubs in 2023, showing shades of the player he was in 2019 with the Dodgers when he was the National League MVP. But whether it's the asking price or a fear of regression holding his market up, he remains unsigned as spring training games get underway.
Throughout the offseason, the Cubs have appeared to stay in the running for Bellinger. And now that vacancies are getting filled and options are dwindling for Bellinger, a return to Chicago has seemed increasingly likely. The Cubs could use Bellinger's talent and versatility, and Bellinger already knows he can have success in Chicago.
There's reason to buy into the notion that there's a staring contest being held between Bellinger's camp and the Cubs, but Audacy MLB insider Jon Heyman cautioned against believing it's a one-horse race for Bellinger.
"I understand that he's not a perfect player, he's had ups and downs after the injury in 2020 with the fist bump in the World Series … he wasn't the same for a couple of years," Heyman said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Thursday. "This isn't Mike Trout in his prime, it's not Gerrit Cole. I get it. But there is a risk (for the Cubs), there are 29 other teams. You know he's not going to the Marlins, you know he's not going to some teams, but there still are a number of teams that would be happy to have Cody Bellinger. At some point, he may take one of those other offers.
"The guy is a center fielder who can play first base, can obviously play the corners, he's got four positions. There are 30 teams. I would not guarantee that Bellinger has no other options."
That doesn't necessarily mean the other options, whatever they might be, are better for Bellinger. Still, if the Cubs remain committed to bringing him back, then they're dancing with danger the longer they go without finding common ground.
