The Chicago Cubs still haven't found the best option in free agency.
However, the wait continues for outfielder Cody Bellinger and the Cubs after a strong one-year partnership in 2023. It makes a lot of sense for the two sides to reunite. Bellinger, 28, was a strong force in the middle of the Cubs lineup, providing much-needed power from the left side. This is something the Cubs still need, even after acquiring top-50 prospect Michael Busch through a trade. For Bellinger, returning to the Cubs would mean going back to an environment and hitting structure where he excelled in a bounce-back season, showing his full capability when fully healthy.
However, the president of baseball operations, Jed Hoyer, has shown over his three-plus years in this position that the Cubs will stick to their principles in free agency.
Bellinger’s agent Scott Boras is also willing to wait things out, even if it means his top players do not sign until spring training is underway. The Cubs would prefer to have their roster set by the time pitchers and catchers report to Mesa, Ariz., on Feb. 14. However, given the amount of work still needed to be done with three weeks to go, that might not happen, especially if the Cubs are open to seeing how Bellinger’s free-agency pursuits unfold. Carter Hawkins, the general manager, said earlier this month: 'We don’t have any fixed deadline. I think in a perfect world you have your team going into spring training. I think a lot of these players that sign in March and into the season, there’s just a tough transition phase to get back up to speed when you’re behind the eight ball that way. It doesn’t mean that it can’t work, but just seems like it’s harder to work. That’s anecdotal of course.' “We wouldn’t rule it out. That’d be foolish for us to rule anything out. But, yeah, we’d much prefer to get our team sooner than later.”
If Bellinger’s Cubs teammates had any influence on whether the slugger returns, he garnered unanimous support for a reunion recently during the Cubs Convention. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks credited Bellinger’s role in a collectively strong defense that took pressure off the pitching staff and what it would mean to have that type of dynamic player come back to Chicago, though the veteran also understands this is a business. Center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong hopes Bellinger re-signs, regardless of the impact it would have on his playing time.Left fielder Ian Happ applauded Bellinger for going through what has become a prolonged free-agent process and being in the tough part of negotiations at this point of the offseason, still not knowing where he will play in 2024 and beyond. Happ said part of why he agreed to a shorter three-year extension was so the front office could pursue bigger, longer-term free-agent deals in a win-now environment. Bellinger would certainly fit those parameters.
“If they want to move on from me in three years, that’s their prerogative and they can do it so I think they’re going to build the team in the best way that they see fit and as players, we trust Jed and Carter to do that and give us a chance to compete at the top of the division and into the playoffs,” Happ said.
Justin Steele, a left-handed pitcher, said it was difficult to explain the impact Bellinger had last year, but the Cubs would have a large gap to fill if he doesn’t come back.
“Everyone saw his amazing performance on the field, but the best thing about him is his qualities as a teammate and a person,” Steele said. “He always came to the locker room with a smile, positive energy, and everyone enjoyed talking to him. That means a lot, especially for young players.”
Bellinger’s ability to play well in both center field and first base would be a valuable asset for manager Craig Counsell and the Cubs’ roster. Dansby Swanson appreciated this, as it allows the manager to make unique lineup adjustments that other teams might not be able to make.
Since joining the Cubs last offseason, Swanson has been regularly talking with Hoyer and Hawkins, sharing ideas and being honest when discussing potential moves. Swanson is confident that, with or without Bellinger, the front office is still working on improving the team that narrowly missed the postseason.
“In the end, they have a plan, they know what they want,” Swanson said. “They know what they’re looking for. The market has been slow overall. Except for the big deal out west, there hasn't been much. They understand that we need to improve, and we will improve. We've already seen some progress, and I believe it will continue to grow from there.”
The top choice for the Chicago Cubs is still available in free agency. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has shown over his three-plus years in this role that the Cubs will be principled in their approach to free agency. Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, is also willing to be patient, even if it means his top players do not sign right away.
Bellinger’s defensive flexibility would be a coveted asset for manager Craig Counsell and the Cubs’ roster construction. Playing at an elite level in center field and first base did not go unappreciated by Dansby Swanson, particularly with how it can help with mixing and matching with the lineup, allowing a manager to “press a few different buttons that not maybe any other team could.”
Since signing with the Cubs last offseason, Swanson has been in regular communication with Hoyer and Hawkins, bouncing ideas off each other, communicating openly and being honest with the shortstop when moves might be happening. Swanson is confident that, Bellinger or no Bellinger, the front office isn’t done improving a roster that fell one game short of the postseason.
“At the end of the day, they have a plan, they know what they want,” Swanson said. “They know what they’re looking for. The market overall has been slow. I mean, other than, the billion dollars out west, there really hasn’t been a ton. … They know that we need to get better and we will get better and I think you’ve started to see that recently with some things starting to fall in place and I think that’s only going to continue to grow from there.”
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