MLB Insider Says Chicago Cubs' Chances of Re-Signing Bellinger Have Increased
A month and a half ago, top news breaker Bob Nightengale proclaimed that the Cubs had "zero chance" at re-signing slugger Cody Bellinger, when he becomes a free agent this winter. In the time since, however, Nightengale believes that the chances the Cubs re-sign him have increased significantly.
Nightengale was asked recently on the Jack Vita Show if there is now a greater likelihood of Bellinger staying with the Cubs.
"Yeah, there is," Nightengale said. “You’re only going to have a few teams interested. Will the Yankees be interested? I would think the San Francisco Giants would be. You’re only talking about, realistically, three or four teams, because he’s going to ask for a lot of money. He’s going to ask for over $200 million for sure, if not $300 million. I would think it will be a slow winter for him. I could see him sitting out there in January or February, just waiting for someone to meet that price tag. Obviously the Cubs know him very well now after being with him. They know whether this is an aberration or if he’ll continue being better, now that he’s healthy. He has the most value to them. And I’m sure the Giants have interest as well. He’s a former Dodger, it would be kind of cool to have him there. And they need star power. If they can’t get Ohtani, maybe they say, ‘Okay, Bellinger, he can sell some tickets.”
If only a handful of teams pursue Bellinger, it will certainly increase the Cubs' chances of retaining Bellinger, who has been a huge difference-maker for them this season.
With or without Bellinger, the Cubs have a crowded outfield. In recent days, the club called-up top prospects Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alexander Canario. Chicago has corner outfielders Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ locked up through 2026. In addition to Crow-Armstrong and Canario, the Cubs have two other top 100 outfield prospects, Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara.
Entering September 12, the Cubs are 15-18 with Bellinger out of their lineup in 2023. With Bellinger starting, the Cubs are 62-49. Chicago is 16 games better with Bellinger than without him.
The 2019 National League MVP has enjoyed a resurgent 2023, slashing .317/.360/.910 with 25 home runs, 89 RBI, 20 stolen bases and a 140 OPS+. Bellinger has the Cubs in position for their first postseason berth in a 162-game season since 2018.
Bellinger signed a one-year deal with the Cubs last winter, after struggling through the 2020-2022 seasons. Bellinger slashed just .203/.272/.648 during that time. Bellinger is back in MVP form, and regardless of where he signs, he will receive a handsome payday.
You can catch the full conversation with Bob Nightengale on the Jack Vita Show here:
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