- Deal includes opt-outs after each of the first two seasons
- First of five Scott Boras free-agents to blink in negotiations
Cody Bellinger is heading back to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to a three-year, $80m contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.
The slugger can opt out of the deal after each of the first two seasons, according to sources. Bellinger is set to make $30m this year, and then $30m in 2025 if he stays with Chicago and $20m in 2026 if he doesn’t opt out of the contract.
Bellinger was among five significant free agents represented by Scott Boras who went into spring training without agreements. Pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, third baseman Matt Chapman and designated hitter JD Martinez remain on the market.
It was a much different experience than last offseason, when Bellinger finalized a $17.5m, one-year deal with the Cubs in December 2022. He then declined his end of a $25m mutual option for 2024, and also rejected a $20.3m qualifying offer from Chicago after a resurgent performance.
Healthy again after years of injuries, Bellinger regained the form that made him one of baseball’s biggest stars at the beginning of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He hit a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs and 20 steals in 130 games in 2023.
The 28-year-old Bellinger helped power the Cubs into playoff contention before the team faded in September. He had 48 RBIs in one 45-game stretch from 1 August to 19 September.
