Cody Bellinger signs 3 year $80 million contract with the Chicago Cubs

[pwaldo]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/ml...cago-Cubs.html

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

ESPN reported late on Saturday that the deal includes opt-outs after each of the first two years. If he stays for the entirety of the length of his new contract, Bellinger will earn $30M in each of the firs two seasons and $20M in the final year.

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

Previously, it had been reported that Bellinger's agent - Scott Boras, who represents nearly 200 players - had been lobbying 'for a package well over $200M,' though MLB execs' were unwilling to pay so much for a player dealing with several injury issues in recent years.

Bellinger had also already decided to test the free agent market at that start of the offseason, declining his end of a $25M.

[ethunder]

Glad to finally see the signing. Lots of opt outs!