PHOENIX — With less than a month left until Opening Day and March fast approaching, this offseason’s top free agents are finally finding their homes. And in Cody Bellinger’s case, he can stay home.
Bellinger became the first of the Boras Four signings on Sunday, agreeing to a three-year, $80 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. For Bellinger, this is a full-circle moment. Bellinger looked very lost offensively from 2020 to 2022, but was able to return to his best self in 2023.
When the offseason began, there was a belief in the industry that the former National League MVP had played a monster role that would earn him a nine-figure salary. And Chicago’s concern was whether they would be able to keep the player who helped the Cubs go from being the worst player in the league to the best.
Fast forward to today, Reduced trading This felt like a big win for the Cubs and gave them the market back as the winter wore on.
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Re-signing Bellinger was a must for President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer and the Cubs. This is a slow and deliberate move for the Cubs’ front office, which has been gradually reshaping its roster since the departures of 2016 World Series heroes Kris Bryant, Javy Báez, Kyle Schwarber and Anthony Rizzo. It was a construction.
However, after the team narrowly missed the postseason in 2023, the Cubs felt it was finally time to make a big move. They started the offseason strong by firing David Ross and hiring Craig Counsell from the divisional rival Milwaukee Brewers, showing they aren’t afraid to make impactful moves, but they’re not afraid to make impactful moves. Had to back it up on the side.
If the Cubs hadn’t re-signed Bellinger, there would have been a huge hole in their current lineup. Not only did they lose their best position player from last season, but it would have been very difficult to fill that hole at this point in the offseason.
Bellinger has played a key role in the team’s recent resurgence, leading to a nine-win season from 2022 to 2023. The Cubs are clearly the best fit for the 2023 National League Player of the Year and are much better with him than without him.
Chicago’s offseason will be even better with Bellinger back on the team. The acquisitions of Japanese southpaw Shota Imanaga, late-round option Hector Neris, and promising prospect Michael Busch, along with Bellinger’s return, make the team’s hopes of taking another step forward in 2024 more likely.
Additionally, an underrated aspect of the Cubs’ offseason was their ability to grow without moving any top prospects. This leaves them with prospect capital to make a move before this year’s trade deadline if the opportunity arises.
With Bellinger’s deal completed, the Cubs enter the remainder of Spring Training and Opening Day with a real chance to not only return to the postseason, but win their division. Unlike the top batters in the National League West and AL East, the National League Central Division is open to any team that wants to win.
