Cody Bellinger signs 3-year, $80M contract with the Chicago Cubs after former NL MVP ‘pushed for $200M deal’

The Chicago Cubs and free agent Cody Bellinger agreed to a three-year, $80 million contract after the former National League MVP (2019) sought terms around $200 million during the offseason.

ESPN reported late Saturday that the agreement includes opt-out options after each of the first two years. If he stays for the duration of his new contract, Bellinger will earn $30 million in each of the first two seasons and $20 million in the final year.

Bellinger, 28, played for the Cubs on a one-year, $17.5 million contract in 2023 and enjoyed a bounce-back season, batting .307 with 26 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 97 RBIs while playing in first base and center field.

Previously, it had been reported that Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, who represents nearly 200 players, had been pushing “for a package in excess of $200 million,” although MLB executives were not willing to pay that much for a player who was dealing with several injury problems. in recent years.

Bellinger had also decided to test the free agent market at the beginning of the offseason, turning down his share of $25 million.

Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, who represents nearly 200 MLB players, sought a big payday for his client during the offseason, but to no avail.

“Boras is sticking to the money that was mentioned at the start of the free agency market,” an MLB executive previously said. ESPN.

It will last well into winter. Without giving in.

A nagging shoulder injury from the 2020 postseason with the Dodgers led to Bellinger’s two mediocre seasons and his departure from Los Angeles.

The Arizona native, the 2017 Rookie of the Year and 2019 National League MVP, was a fourth-round pick of the Dodgers in the 2013 draft.

Bellinger’s new deal comes after the Cubs agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Japanese pitcher Shot Imanaga last month.

In seven seasons with the Dodgers (2017-22) and Cubs, Bellinger has hit .258 with 178 home runs, 519 RBIs and an .829 OPS.

The Cubs made a big move last month when they agreed to a four-year, $53 million contract with Japanese left-hander Shōta Imanaga that could become a five-year, $80 million contract.

It had largely been a quiet offseason for Chicago following the hiring of manager Craig Counsell.

The Cubs finished second in the NL Central with an 83-79 record and missed the postseason by one game after faltering down the stretch last season.