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A World Collection champion and MVP is hitting the open market this offseason.
Cody Bellinger declined the $12 million mutual choice for the 2024 marketing campaign he had on his contract with the Chicago Cubs on Friday, per the team. Meaning he’s an unrestricted free agent shifting ahead and can certainly look to money in on his glorious 2023 effort.
The Cubs’ choice to signal him to a one-year take care of the mutual choice was a low-risk transfer. If he returned to his earlier type, he may assist them contend for a playoff spot. And if he continued to wrestle, it was not a long-term dedication.
Luckily for Chicago’s 2023 crew, it turned out to be the previous.
Bellinger slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 dwelling runs, 97 RBI and 20 stolen bases because the anchor of the crew’s lineup. His presence was a significant cause the Cubs entered the stretch run as playoff contenders, and have been capable of end over .500 (83-79) for the primary time since 2020.
Bellinger is now an attention-grabbing case examine as he hits free company.
On the one hand, he was largely glorious this previous 12 months. It additionally wasn’t way back that he was probably the greatest gamers within the league with a resume that features the 2019 Nationwide League MVP, the 2017 NL Rookie of the 12 months, one Gold Glove and one Silver Slugger from his time on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He slashed .305/.406/.629 with 47 dwelling runs and 115 RBI throughout that MVP season, however his manufacturing shortly fell off within the following seasons.
Whereas the Dodgers gained the World Collection within the shortened 2020 marketing campaign, Bellinger hit simply .239. Issues continued to pattern within the incorrect route in 2021 with a .165/.240/.302 slash line, 10 dwelling runs and 36 RBI earlier than he slashed .210/.265/.389 with 19 lengthy balls in 2022.
That’s how he turned a low-risk, short-term pickup for a possible fringe contender within the Cubs.
The transfer paid off, however there will probably be extra danger for the subsequent crew to signal him.
In spite of everything, his exhibiting in 2023 means he’ll generate a bigger contract provide. There isn’t any assure he would be the dominant model he has proven at occasions, because the inconsistency all through his profession stands out.
It’s one thing groups must weigh as they resolve whether or not to pursue him.
