Current:Home > StocksCody Bellinger re-signs with Chicago Cubs on three-year, $80 million deal -Wealth Empowerment Academy
Cody Bellinger re-signs with Chicago Cubs on three-year, $80 million deal
View
Date:2025-04-12 18:57:55
Cody Bellinger's long-awaited pot of gold at the end of the free agency rainbow finally emerged Sunday perhaps not as full as the 2019 National League MVP might have envisioned.
Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80 million contract to return to the Chicago Cubs, according to a person with direct knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the contract will not be finalized until Bellinger completes his physical.
Bellinger, 28, was the best position player on this free agent market, unsurprising after he made history in winning the 2017 NL Rookie of the Year and two years later hit 49 homers to capture the MVP award. But two injury-filled seasons that compromised both his upper (right shoulder) and lower (calf) body contributed to a pair of desultory seasons in which he batted .193 with a .611 OPS.
That prompted the Los Angeles Dodgers to non-tender rather than pay him around $18 million via arbitration last winter. The Cubs snapped him up – and both parties benefited.
Bellinger batted .307 with an .881 OPS and 140 adjusted OPS for the Cubs, numbers far more in line with the .911 OPS and 140 adjusted mark during his first four seasons.
All things Cubs: Latest Chicago Cubs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
But a separated shoulder suffered while celebrating in the 2020 NLCS – it required off-season shoulder surgery – sent him on a significant detour, his compromised body and the subsequent outcome dimming his confidence. He reemerged this year as a five-tool talent, playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center field and at first base while producing 4.4 Wins Above Replacement.
Yet his suitors on the open market apparently remained skeptical of his health and production woes. Clubs like the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants remained on the front burner, but the offers Boras and Bellinger apparently sought never materialized.
As spring training began earlier this month, Bellinger, pitchers Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell and third baseman Matt Chapman - all Boras clients - remained unsigned. Sunday, Bellinger came to the conclusion a reunion − likely at a lower price and commitment than he desired − was the best route to go.
Yet Bellinger will hit free agency again at 31 and in the meantime, thrust the Cubs toward the front of the NL Central.
Contributing: Bob Nightengale
veryGood! (48)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- The federal deficit nearly tripled, raising concern about the country's finances
- An EV With 600 Miles of Range Is Tantalizingly Close
- Why Filming This Barbie Scene Was the Worst Day of Issa Rae’s Life
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Sinking Land and Rising Seas Threaten Manila Bay’s Coastal Communities
- Two Indicators: After Affirmative Action & why America overpays for subways
- Get Shiny, Frizz-Free, Waterproof Hair With These 30% Off Color Wow Deals From Amazon Prime Day 2023
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- In a new video, Dylan Mulvaney says Bud Light never reached out to her amid backlash
Ranking
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- Get a TikTok-Famous Electric Peeler With 11,400+ 5-Star Reviews for Just $20 on Amazon Prime Day 2023
- Swimming Against the Tide, a Retired Connecticut Official Won’t Stop Fighting for the Endangered Atlantic Salmon
- Cities Are a Big Part of the Climate Problem. They Can Also Be a Big Part of the Solution
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- It's back-to-school shopping time, and everyone wants a bargain
- At a Global Conference on Clean Energy, Granholm Announces Billions in Federal Aid for Carbon Capture and Emerging Technology
- Hotel workers' strike disrupts July 4th holiday in Southern California
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Pikmin 4 review: tiny tactics, a rescue dog and a fresh face
Biden kept Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. This is who pays the price
Two Indicators: After Affirmative Action & why America overpays for subways
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
8 mistakes to avoid if you're going out in the heat
He lost $340,000 to a crypto scam. Such cases are on the rise
Why Keke Palmer Is Telling New Moms to “Do You” After Boyfriend Darius Jackson’s Online Drama