Cubs’ Cody Bellinger Pursuit Following 2016 Deal? Star Outfielder’s Prolonged Free Agency Continues as Spring Training Nears

It came to pass. Despite the arrival of February, Cody Bellinger has remained a free agent. Being linked with the Chicago Cubs since the beginning of this offseason, the two have just not found common ground yet. With Spring Training right around the corner, surely things must ideally be picking up now, right? Or are the Cubs trying to recreate a memorable moment of their 2016 World Series winning season? 

Despite being a clubhouse favorite and a beloved part of the Cubs, Bellinger has remained away due to financial reasons. Hope and anticipation curdle into frantic desperation as February tightens its grip. Betting on those feelings is a risky game, but it looks like Scott Boras has made his play and one waits in this excruciatingly slow game to see where the dice falls.

Throwback to the past or a desperate act to reconcile?

Chicago Sun-Times’ recent article talked about the slow free agency of Bellinger. Despite there being a connection between the North Siders and Bellinger, things are not moving forward as quickly as one would like. While being financially prudent is nothing new for the Cubs, it’s surprising how the timeline is similar to what they experienced with Dexter Fowler in 2016.

Speculations were rife in 2016 that Dexter Fowler was leaving the Cubs for the Baltimore Orioles. Even reports of an agreement for a 3-year $33 million contract started floating around. Then on 25th Feb, the Cubs squad was training when Fowler strolled around the Cubs facility in Mesa, Arizona. Players enthusiastically surrounded him as he announced he had re-signed with the Cubs. 

Fowler’s comeback was a massive shot in the arm of the Cubs and he became “one of the key pieces of what turned out to be a World Series puzzle.” Cody Love is loved by the clubhouse just as much as Fowler was. But the situations are slightly different between the two players. 

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Theo Epstein – the then-Cubs President was famous for his willingness to spend big. This is in stark contrast to Jed Hoyer, who likes keeping costs low. Namely, the large asking price of Bellinger, his injury history, and a long contract that he wishes to sign are the obstacles coming in the way of this romantic reunion. Not only this, Boras’ philosophy for its clients is yet another barrier. 

A clash of two philosophies for Cody Bellinger

This free agency is testing the patience of the Chi-Town fans. They’ve made their thoughts known during the Cubs Convention – they want Cody and they want him now. But Jed Hoyer is still skeptical about the long-term health of Bellinger. Simultaneously, recently the Cubs have shown a preference for short-term deals, but is Bellinger ready for such a thing?

Because it is Jed Hoyer’s Chicago Cubs, one can expect a creative contract. But because it’s Scott Boras’ Cody Bellinger, one can also expect a giant contract. That’s where the issue arises. Hoyer is frugal, but Boras is known for extracting huge contracts. The two wildly different philosophies are clashing currently. Who will prevail is a guessing game.

Read more: Amidst Cubs’ Cody Bellinger Talks, Will the North Siders Strike a Balance Between Youth Development and Playoff Hopes?