Is Cody Bellinger’s Prolonged Free Agency a Saving Grace for the Chicago Cubs?

Jed Hoyer rolled the dice and it looks like he’s about to hit a jackpot. The President of the Chicago Cubs has remained adamant in his stance regarding Cody Bellinger. The team wants him but not to the extent that they’ll overpay. Until now this looked like a risky game but slowly things are starting to become clear for the North Side. 

Ever since Bellinger entered his free agency, the Cubs have been the favorites to sign him. Despite links with different teams, everything boils down to the Chi-Town. While in the beginning, it was Cody and his agent Scott Boras who held the ball, it may have shifted back to Jed Hoyer’s court.

Chicago Cubs threw the hook and are now railing in Cody Bellinger

The Cubs’ strategy since the beginning was simple – wait and watch. The team has all the resources in the world to pounce on any deals but they’re willing to wait and see whether the price lowers or not. They’ve done the same with Cody Bellinger and it’s starting to work. Bellinger’s free agency is going exactly like the Cubs planned – it’s slowly losing its steam.

The Athletic noted this recently, “There was never a chance Hoyer would meet Boras’ demands early on. They needed this free agency to drag on. They needed likely suitors to fall to the wayside.” The Cubs played the long game and it has worked. Cody Bellinger expected a $300 million deal but no team was willing to touch that. While teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants still have links with him, they both have made additions to their hitting lineup.

The Cubs too have recently traded with the Dodgers for Michael Busch, an infielder who could cover for Bellinger. With none of the teams looking desperate, Bellinger’s free agency has lost some of its steam. That is exactly what the Cubs have wanted. With lower competition comes lower prices, something that they are ready to pay for Bellinger. As a result, the Cubs have made things a little difficult for the super agent Scott Boras.

Is there some trick left in the bag of Scott Boras?

One can never underestimate Scott Boras but this situation is particularly tricky for him. The agent thrives on teams showing desperation for his players but the Cubs haven’t given him that opportunity. Even though the players and Jed Hoyer have repeatedly praised Bellinger they’ve made it clear that a reunion can happen only when the price is right.

Read more: Chicago Cubs Star Desires Cody Bellinger Reunion, Opens Up Amid Prolonged Free Agency Negotiations

So can Boras find another team to compete for Bellinger? The sweepstakes are currently in the hands of Jed Hoyer and his discipline ensures that he won’t budge without competition. Can Boras find competition? Or will the Cubs march on toward a reunion on their own terms?

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