Chicago Cubs Top Prospect Wants Cody Bellinger Back
The Chicago Cubs enter Spring Training with many unknowns. They haven't signed an impact bat yet, and while that's expected to change, it leads to some questions heading into the season.
As currently constructed, the lineup isn't good enough to compete with the best teams in baseball. If they land Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman, that helps, although it doesn't change the fact that the lineup isn't great.
There's always the possibility of signing both of them depending on the price.
Whatever decision the front office decides to make on Bellinger impacts their top prospect, Pete Crow-Armstrong, as he has a chance to start in center field right now, but if Bellinger returns, he could find himself in the minors.
Despite that being known, Crow-Armstrong made it clear to reporters that he wants the slugger back.
He had the following to say, according to Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
"I love Cody. That's my friend. Bottom line, he was only ever really good to me, as a friend, but also as a teammate and a guy in the clubhouse. You hear the dudes talk about him. Everybody loves that guy. Everybody shares that same (feeling). But you get everything in this game by what you do on the field. If Cody comes back, that's great. That gives us a better chance to win."
It takes a lot for a 21-year-old to say this.
He knows better than anyone that if Bellinger returns, his path to the big leagues is much different. Still, the former first-round pick understands that the former MVP makes Chicago better and will help bring wins to the city.
Bellinger's decision is a massive one for the Cubs, and hopefully, it's decided on soon.
His offensive presence alone will be needed in this lineup.
In the 2023 season, he slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs, posting a 4.4 WAR season. The former MVP found his confidence again in Chicago and was a fan favorite who was also loved by his teammates.
