Blue Jays Seemingly Emerge as Cody Bellinger’s Best Fit, Amidst Prolonged $300 Million Free Agency

Will the Blue Birds successfully steal the Cubs’ treat? It certainly looks like it as the Toronto Blue Jays are looking more and more likely to sign Cody Bellinger. Even though the Chicago Cubs have been favorites since day one, the Blue Jays may prove too good to resist for Cody Love. With multiple top insiders agreeing on this, what is pushing the Blue Birds ahead of the Cubbies?

With Bellinger reportedly looking for a contract over $200 million, things are starting to get interesting in this story. Is it his changed style of slugging or the belief in his potential that has attracted Toronto?

The Blue Birds could provide better conditions for Cody Bellinger

Even though Cody Love experienced a good comeback with the Chicago Cubs, he may not return to them. Though they’ve had a fair chance, the Cubs do not seem to be interested in meeting the extremely high demands of Bellinger’s agent Scott Boras. On the other hand, after getting burnt by the Shohei Ohtani free-agency rumors, the Blue Jays seem primed to prove that they’re still active in the market.

That might be the reason why MLB Network’s Anthony Castrovince, Chris Young, and Matty V think that the Toronto-based team has a better chance of getting Bellinger. Castrovince believes Bellinger being a left-hander is something that the Blue Jays “can always use that to balance.” And it makes  “too much sense” for the Blue Jays to not go after the slugger.

While Chris Young agreed with him, he further added that Bellinger is better suited in a team where he isn’t “the only guy”. And in Blue Jays he’ll have players like Bo Bichette as adequate support. In the end, there was consensus among all three of them that the Blue Jays may have more upside for the 28-year-old.

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It does make sense to some extent because Bellinger’s numbers still aren’t as good as before. Perhaps a good hitting lineup can reduce the pressure and further help him find a footing in his new playing style.

The terrific style change that proved game-changing

Cody Bellinger changed his play considerably in 2023. From 150 strikeouts in 2022, he came down to 87 – the lowest in every full season he has played. As a result, he had his career’s highest batting average of 3.07, although the heavy-hitting style of the past had to be sacrificed. With 26 home runs, Bellinger wasn’t quite up to his standards.

Yet none of the Blue Jays’ hitters matched Bellinger’s home run count in 2023. And that could be a major reason why the Blue Birds are soaring so fast for Cody Love. Will this flight reach its destination?

Read more: Back to the North Side? Is Cody Bellinger’s Super Agent Scott Boras Pushing for a Cubs Reunion?