Cody Bellinger and Chicago Cubs Hit Free Agency Stalemate, Waiting Game Commences Amidst Prolonged Talks

If baseball is tough, playing the game of free agency is tougher. The much talked of off-season is underway and some big pitchers are still available on the market. Overlooking the spring training, January is expected to be the month of big news; particularly for the Chicago Cubs and Cody Bellinger. But why isn’t either party making a move? 

An interesting piece of information to remember is that Chicago has also not made any major move this offseason. Maybe they were deepening their pockets or, as Scott Boras would say, ‘loosening their belts’. Remember when he wittily said, “I think Chicago got the comforts of a ‘Full Belli.’ So they’re going to have to loosen their belts to keep Bellinger.” 

The Tug of War Between the Chicago Cubs And Scott Boras 

With that pretext set, it becomes clear what the Windy City is trying to do with their current negotiations. Boras does not seem to be stooping down regarding Bellinger. Nonetheless, the Cubs are reluctant to face the situation they recently got out of, i.e. overpaying an offensive player who ended up regressing for the duration of the contract. While that seems fair on the Cubs’ part, it may not entirely do justice to the 28-year-old center fielder. 

Bellinger did show glimpses of being an MVP-material throughout his stretches of 2023. However, there is quite a lot within his batted-ball metrics, which reveals another angle. Suggestively, luck was greatly in his favor last season. With that established, the Cubbies’ reluctance becomes clear, and hence their current offers to Bellinger are laid out as a stint gig with opt-outs.

Well, it is clear that both parties need to exhibit some flexibility. On one hand, the Cubs will have to make the concession and understand they have no other way out but to work it out with Boras. On the other, the 71-year-old negotiator would have to come to terms with the idea that despite the success ‘Belli’ had in 2023, it might be a dilute projection of his long-term offense. 

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The Whys and Hows of Cody Bellinger’s Ask 

It’s worth looking at what happened in 2023. The star slugger made a comeback season and not only earned a Silver Slugger, but also finished in the top 10 in MVP voting. To add to his laurels, the son of Clay Bellinger also clinched the NL Comeback Player of the Year. However, there was a struggle before his comeback. 

He had a tough period spanning 3 seasons – with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2020 to 2022. Albeit his comeback, owing to this history with the Dodgers, his ask might raise doubts in the minds of clubs. 

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There have been developments in reports that say that Bellinger’s expectation could exceed $200 million. Even $300 million, possibly. Rightly so, his versatility is unmatched. Doesn’t this answer the question – why has he not signed a deal yet?