Breakout Season Incoming? Is Chicago Cubs’ Cody Bellinger Reluctance Because of Their Japanese Slugger’s Stars Potential?

The will they or won’t they of Chicago Cubs and Cody Bellinger is starting to enter the Ross and Rachel territory. Since the beginning of this offseason, this one link has been a constant talking point. Though the Cubs have always shown their interest in Bellinger, they’re not ready to take the final step to complete this deal. What is it that is stopping the Cubs from grabbing Cody Love?

Could it be the rising stardom of Japanese slugger Seiya Suzuki? After an average of 2022, Suzuki came into his own last year. Could it be that Suzuki’s rise has provided the North Siders with the confidence to let Bellinger go?

Have the Chicago Cubs found a Cody Bellinger replacement?

Last season, while Cody Bellinger was having a comeback of the ages, another player was beginning to live up to his potential – Seiya Suzuki. Looks like Suzuki’s performances were good enough for the Cubs to bet their future on him. The Athletic reports, “Seiya Suzuki has the traits that suggest with a little more consistency, he could be a truly feared bat in the Cubs lineup.”

When the Cubs signed the Japanese slugger for a five-year $85 million contract in 2022, they had hoped that Suzuki would also translate his All-Star NPB career into the major leagues. But in his first season, it took time to adjust to the league’s requirements. With a slash line of .262/.336/.433, he was just about average in 2022.

But 2023 proved to be a massive breakout year for Suzuki. With 20 home runs and batting .285/.357/.485, the slugger rose to prominence. His form, especially in the final two months, was such that Suzuki was on the precipice of putting up elite numbers.

The Chicago Cubs are very high on this Japanese slugger. Craig Counsell said during the Winter Meetings, “The one thing I saw last year, as the season went on, Seiya became a very dangerous hitter…He keeps taking steps forward as a hitter in the major leagues.” Perhaps this is why the Cubs are okay with losing Bellinger, especially with that price tag.

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Is the $300 million expectation having a negative effect?

When reports emerged that Bellinger was looking for $300 million, most experts were left surprised. A good comeback cannot cover for his three consecutive years of mediocrity. Even more so when those years also involved some serious injuries.

Most teams were not willing to take risks with Bellinger, whose injury history could reduce his longevity, so to put on a $300 million price tag over that thin of a market always seemed questionable. And now with even the Cubs looking closer to the door, will Bellinger and Scott Boras reduce their asking price?

Read more: Is Cody Bellinger Worth $300 Million, After a 2023 Cubs Comeback Season Revived His Career?