*Photo from Redbird Rants*
A former MVP is on his way to the North Side of Chicago. The Chicago Cubs and OF/1B Cody Bellinger have agreed to a one year, $17.5 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal has been confirmed by the Cubs.
Cubs GM Carter Hawkins talked about Bellinger without confirming the signing, saying "Obviously, as you look at our lineup next year and where some of the opportunities are to add a bat or to add a defender, center fielder is certainly one of those spots. And we're certainly always looking for left-handed hitting. So I think with Cody, his defense, the talent that he has, he's the type of guy that potentially could be a good fit for us, along with some others."
Bellinger was non-tendered by the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the offseason after having two straight seasons of well documented struggles after winning the 2019 NL MVP over Christian Yelich. The deal is set up for Bellinger to rebuild his value, and it contains a mutual option for the 2024 season.
His 2019 MVP winning season was one that vaulted Bellinger into the conversation of the best in baseball. He ended that season with a .305 batting average, .629 slugging percentage, and 1.035 OPS, blasting 47 home runs with 115 RBI's in 156 games and an all star game appearance.
However, his 2022 season was another struggle. He ended this past season with a paltry .210 batting average, .265 on base percentage, and .389 slugging percentage, driving in 68 runs with 19 home runs in 144 games. He managed a .143 average with a .286 OPS in 3 playoff games.
Cubs manager David Ross mentioned Bellinger's track record, saying "He's got a track record of a lot of success and dynamic defense. I remember when he first got in the league. First base, smooth hands, dynamic center fielder, great outfielder. You know, he hasn't had the success he had early on, but definitely a lot of potential for a great player."
Bellinger has 6 seasons in the big leagues, all with the Dodgers. In that time, he has a .248 batting average, .487 slugging percentage, and .332 on base percentage, hitting 152 home runs to go with 422 RBI's in 745 games and two all star game appearances. He has a career .211 average with 9 home runs and 33 RBI's in 69 career playoff games, including a World Series title in 2020.
The signing of Bellinger forms a 1-2 punch with Ian Happ in the Cubs outfield, with Bellinger also able to play adept defense at first base. Seiya Suzuki will also start alongside Bellinger and Happ, with Christopher Morel and Nelson Velazquez also in the mix for playing time.
Comments
Post a Comment