Chicago Cubs need to ‘loosen their belts’ to keep Cody Bellinger, says agent Scott Boras
The Chicago Cubs are expected to face plenty of competition if they want to bring outfielder Cody Bellinger back on a long-term deal.
The organization knows that is the reality after Bellinger’s standout year in Chicago where enjoyed his time and regained his status as a middle-of-the-order threat.
“Obviously, in the years prior to coming to the Cubs, he had a partial performance due to just lack of strength — he had surgery, broken leg, all those things,” his agent Scott Boras said Wednesday at the MLB general managers meetings. “But I think it’s pretty evident that when you have youth, you’re 28, you’re a rare free agent, you have a lot of options.”
And then Boras added a trademark quip: “But when he came to Chicago he just feasted on major-league pitching. I think Chicago got the comforts of a full Belli so they’re gonna have to loosen their belts to keep Bellinger.”
The Cubs did make a qualifying offer of $20.3 million for 2024 to Bellinger on Monday, which he is expected to decline. Bellinger told Boras to look at the full gamut of big-league teams, listen to everybody, and then he will make his decision.
“Cody did have a great experience in Chicago. It’s a wonderful place to play, but where Cody can play and play well, he feels he can play well anywhere,” Boras said. “A lot of this has to do with ownership, it has to do with their commitment, it has to do with their vision of what they’re going to do to develop the other track, to do the other things that are necessary to make this club a continual winner over a long period of time.”
Bellinger showed his elite defense still plays at first base where he started 44 games for the Cubs, though the majority of teams are focusing on him in center field, Boras said. As for the timing and how long into the offseason Bellinger might remain on the market, Boras doesn’t expect the courtship of Shohei Ohtani to impact Bellinger’s process because Ohtani is famously a starting pitcher and designated hitter while Bellinger is an everyday field player so “those platforms of demand are very different.”
“I think Bellinger’s a fit for most teams because he’s a Gold Glove-type first baseman, center field, he can play four positions, hit in the middle of the lineup, provide power,” Boras said. “I wouldn’t know any team that wouldn’t want that.”
A lucrative long-term deal for Bellinger hinges on teams’ belief that 2023 was the start of the 28-year-old former National League MVP recapturing his status as one of the game’s top sluggers and not a one-year aberration following two awful seasons in Los Angeles. Bellinger was voted by his peers as the 2023 NL Comeback Player of the Year in the MLB Players Association awards.
Boras said Bellinger’s situation reminds him of ex-Dodger shortstop Corey Seager’s free agency before he inked a 10-year, $325 million contract with the Texas Rangers before the 2022 season.
“When you have the aroma of youth, you’re an MVP, see how many players sniff that cologne and the essence of Bellinger is very rare in this game,” Boras said. “When you look at it, you understand that this is something that every team wants it on their vanity, no doubt.”
The Cubs’ offseason plans will feature a variety of paths to pursue, both in free agency and through trades. Boras also represents two intriguing stars who will be entering their final season before free agency: Padres outfielder Juan Soto and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso. Boras said the Mets, now led by team president David Stearns, view Alonso as a core piece to their team. On Alonso’s end, he has directed Boras to listen to what the Mets say about a potential contract extension and go from there.
“We let (Stearns) know that when it comes to the Polar Bear, we’re not in contract hibernation,” Boras said.
When the Padres outlined their plans to him for 2024, their lineup “definitely” includes the 25-year-old Soto, Boras noted.
“They’re looking for more left-handed bats instead of less, that’s for sure,” Boras said. “They’re telling us they’re trying to win and will be very aggressive in a free-agent market.”
First baseman Rhys Hoskins could also be an intriguing power option with great on-base skills for a Cubs lineup that desperately more quick-strike offense. Asked whether Bellinger’s 2023 deal with the Cubs is a good comparison for Hoskins, Boras said, “Certainly there’s potential for a pillow contract.” Hoskins, who turns 31 in March, missed the entire season after tearing his ACL in spring training.
“Rhys got a chance to get really ramped up almost to be World Series ready in (Florida) because the Phillies wanted to add him to their World Series roster, so he’s way ahead of his conditioning thing and really very much back to full speed,” Boras said. “The power of Rhys, his leadership, all those things, are really demonstrated in a major market and on championship levels, hitting championship pitching. I think Rhys’ Pieces fits all team puzzles.”
