Cody Bellinger has exercised his $27.5MM player option for the 2025 season, according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan (X link). Bellinger’s three-year, $80MM deal with the Cubs last winter included opt-outs after both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but Bellinger will pass on the first opt-out (and $2.5MM buyout) in order to remain in Chicago for at least one more year.
Bellinger also earned $27.5MM in the first year of his contract, so he’ll have a $25MM decision waiting for him with next year’s opt-out. With $5MM attached to that opt-out, Bellinger has now guaranteed himself $60MM of that initial $80MM payday, and could potentially be in line for another long-term contract if he delivers a big 2025 season.
Of course, Bellinger thought that his big 2023 season might’ve set him up for a lucrative long-term contract last winter, yet he ended up rejoining the Cubs for that three-year pact. Similar option-heavy shorter-term deals were also in the cards for other notable Scott Boras clients like Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, and Jordan Montgomery, leading the quartet to be known as the “Boras Four” as their trips through free agency dragged deep into Spring Training.
Bellinger signed near the end of February so he still had the benefit of most of spring camp, though injuries were probably the bigger reason why the former NL MVP’s performance dropped off from 2023. A fractured right rib and a fractured left middle finger resulted in a couple of relatively brief trips to the injured list, though Bellinger hit a modest .266/.325/.426 with 18 home runs over 569 plate appearances.
While his 109 wRC+ was still above the league average, it also wasn’t the kind of standout platform year that would’ve made Bellinger a lock to top the remaining salary on his Cubs contract. As a result, Bellinger was still reportedly unclear about his opt-out decision as late as September 20, and he has now chosen perhaps the slightly more cautious move of just sticking in Wrigleyville for another season.
There’s plenty of logic in Bellinger’s decision, beyond the obvious appeal of a $27.5MM payday. After being a free agent in each of the last two offseasons, a quiet winter with his 2025 destination already established surely had some appeal for Bellinger. He has also been vocal about how much he has enjoyed playing for the Cubs, so he’ll now stay in a familiar and welcome environment of the Friendly Confines.
From the Cubs’ perspective, they now have a pretty big salary on their books for 2025. Of course, a one-year outlay for a player with Bellinger’s upside isn’t exactly a bad outcome, and obviously it was an outcome the front office has planned for given the three-year contract. With Pete Crow-Armstrong now establishing himself in center field, Bellinger will probably be the Cubs’ primary right fielder next season, with Seiya Suzuki perhaps getting the bulk of DH duty. Bellinger’s ability to also play center field and first base adds to his versatility, and gives manager Craig Counsell some flexibility in figuring out his daily lineups.
As per RosterResource, the Cubs’ projected payroll for next year up to roughly $183.5MM, factoring in Bellinger staying and Drew Smyly leaving after Chicago declined their end of the veteran pitcher’s mutual option. This leaves the Cubs with plenty of spending space before they get up to the $241MM luxury tax threshold, provided the threshold is any sort of real barrier for ownership. The Cubs didn’t pay the tax in any of the 2021-23 seasons but may have just barely crossed the threshold this season, depending on the league’s final calculations.
He could have gotten more on the open market but loves Chicago so much he wanted to stay. A true leader. Im sure his agent and the mlbpa are upset but Cody putting the team first is all you need to know about his character
The guy loves to lose
Team had a winning record his 2 years in Chicago. No they didn’t win ‘ship, or even make the playoffs, but not sure how you can make the comment you did.
Was the 7th grade the hardest 4 years of your life?
He stayed because he wants a better year before re entering FA bub..
And.. 10 million dollar player making 27.5 million. 29 other teams know he is way way way over paid
I agree that 27.5M is an overpay, but I feel like he’s more than a 10M player. He can play a premium defensive position (CF) and was slightly above average offensively. That combination is better than that IMO.
He’s more than a $10 million player.
Fangraphs had him worth 17.7 million this year.
That’s all well and good, but I hope he likes Anaheim or Washington or wherever they trade him. Because I don’t see him on the roster when they go to Tokyo.
And I read his wife wanted to stay. Belli is a clutch hitter and the Cubs haven’t had one for a long time. Glad he stayed and if you are looking for change, you’ll need to wait until the no trade contracts expire.
I also read his yellow canary wanted to stay.
I didn’t see him getting more for 2025. CF days are nearing end. Doesn’t hit ball hard. Easy and correct decision to take option. Worst case he opts in for another big pay next year. Great contract for him. Awful contract for Cubs.
You’re NOT my ‘dream GM’.
I doubt you’ve seen Belli play much over his Cubs tenure. If you did, you would have noticed how much he contributed with the versatility he gave the lineup. Not to mention the clutch plays and leadership.
PCA gained confidence this season, and a big reason was Belli’s influence. He also gave Busch some breathing room because Busch didn’t have to be ‘the LH’ bat in the lineup.
The Cubs offense was fine since late July.
And Hoyer trading for Paredes doesn’t get enough credit.
Enjoy the 109 OPS for $27 million.
His hard hit rate is affected by the fact that his K rate has come way down the last couple of years. If you try to put the ball in play with two strikes, you likely aren’t hitting swinging as hard as you can. Swings and misses don’t negatively affect hard hit rate.
Mediocre relievers get $10-$12 million these days.
I doubt he’d make that on the open market. He was solid but not worth that much…
No one was giving him more than he was already getting and even that is an overpay.. He hasn’t been an all star since pre covid.
Terry… If he could’ve received more on the open market, do you really think he or Boras would’ve still been good with opting in?
Counter argument: He’s guaranteed himself $60MM over the first two years and can still be a free agent next year and make more. He’s simply making the best financial decision.
Welp, here’s to running the whole thing back again next season.
Certainly wasn’t getting anything close to that on the open market, at least not on a yearly rate. If he has a bounceback year, he can walk and get his bag of cash next year. If he has another mid year, his days of big money might well be behind him.
Not likely to bounce back. Guys don’t start hitting harder and running faster in 30s than 20s. His hard hit numbers are a huge turn off. He isn’t playing cf for much longer. Any increase in traditional stats will be looked at as luck. But sure if he does well or even maintains he can and will get a multi year deal.
Barry Bonds clears his throat…
Barry also had a little extra help for those years. Don’t think that quite would make him a general comp.
Along with dozens if not hundreds of other player that hit and slugged well from at least 30-35.
Technically he’s not in his 30’s
Wrigley was inexplicably the second-toughest park to hit in in MLB (for home and away) in 2024 (by OPS), with a huge chunk of that concentrated in a nine week period from the end of April to the end of May. He hit pretty well outside of that weird dead spot.
Cubs were probably hoping he would opt out but that’s not happening now. It’s going to be interesting to see how Hoyer spends this offseason, he needs to produce results in 2025.
Still might be dealt. Bellinger to AZ for Jordan Montgomery?
I’d make that deal in a heartbeat and I’d even drive Cody to Phoenix on my own dime.
I agree. At least Hoyer wasn’t stupid enough to give him a NMC too. They should be able to move him if they’re smart about it. Giants sound like the might be a landing spot. Take less of a prospect if they don’t have to retain any of it. More of a prospect if they have to retain some of it. I’d much rather spend that money on a starter or a Closer.
Respectfully disagree uncle.
This is absolutely perfect timing for the Cubs. They now don’t need to spend any money, on anything other than pitching, pitching and more pitching.
And add another catcher, as insurance.
With Caissie and Shaw ready to be assimilated into the lineup (sort of like PCA) – this keeps the pressure off them, to properly be brought in, as they become ready.
And if anything, this puts some pressure on Happ, Belli, and others to perform up to expectations.
I’m thrilled Belli is back.
Agreed Dog. I’m thrilled to have Bellinger back and I say buy two TOR starters and deal Taillon.
Dealing Taillon and non-tendering dead weight would allow the Cubs to spend around 70 million dollars. If Snell is around 30 and Fried 25, that still give us 15 million to tweak the roster. Trade for a high leverage reliever, sign Sanchez to back up Amaya (or go bigger with a trade) and you’re looking good.
With Bellinger in right and PCA in center, I’d employ a no doubles defense in the outfield.
I doubt the Cubs sign another LH SP. As frustrated as Taillon gets me at times, I’d now keep him around until other RH SPs emerge in the system.
Think I’d rather have Bethancort, than Sanchez – for his Defense.
I’d rather have Burnes and Fried but I think Snells contract will be smaller making him more enticing to the Cubs. Cubs also were interested in trading for Snell at the deadline. I’d make Wicks available in trade for a reliever.
Do the Cubs want to make the playoffs and do some damage or not?
Taillon is a good 3/4 starter but do I want Taillon facing Yamamoto on short rest or Max Fried?
I throw Fried out there because I think he will almost certainly want an opt out after his first year, he would basically be that bridge guy for Brown or Horton to hopefully step into the fourth rotation slot and the other battling it out for the fifth.
Apparently you didn’t see Montgomery’s numbers this past season, I live in AZ and let me tell you he absolutely sucked.
Rather have Beli. Has a good floor and pitcher injuries and such. Much more star power for marketing.
I’d make that deal in a heartbeat and I’d even drive Jordan to Chicago on my own dime.
No way would Cubs trade Belli for Monty.
Now Belli and cash for Helsley, ok.
Belli can play right with Seiya at DH. Belli can also give Busch a rest. Let’s give Caissie and Shaw at least half a season before calling them up. Belli is a huge asset, a slight overpay, but a huge asset.
Cardinals almost certainly don’t want back a player with only 1 year of team control for trade Helsley. Their plan for 2025 is to do a “reset” – i.e., rebuild.
The Cardinals almost certainly want back prospect(s) if/when they trade Helsley.
True, Alcantara for Helsley seems more plausible
The Cubs want Bellinger.
~Bottom 100 Comment
Belli for Helsley might be the worst trade idea I’ve seen on this site and that is saying something. In what world do the Cardinals even remotely consider something like that? They are in a rebuild year, even if the Cubs picked up 99% of his contract Belli helps them compete a grand total of 0%. Why would they trade their best trade piece for that? What?
My first post was poorly worded which was why I corrected it two slots further down andprior to your post.
I agree that Cardinals would not want one year of Belli. That is why I posted that Alcantara is more plausible. Cards are looking for cheap prospects that have multiple years of control. My first post was simply dismissing the idea of the Cubs trading Belli for Montgomery. Helsley is more the type of pitcher that they would want. Did not mean to imply that the Cards would want that deal though.
Cubs don’t want Jordan Montgomery. They’d be lucky to get Nick Madrigal for him these days.
Right decision, he wasn’t gonna get more on the market considering how this season went, and the situation last offseason. Cubs should move him to RF, PCA CF & Seiya DH.
At least 85-88 wins is better than 83 for the 3rd straight year. Might be enough for a wildcard… yippie
Not surprised at all by this. I was hoping he would’ve opted out. I hope he has a great 2025 season and then opts out for 2026. He’ll only be 31 in summer ’26. So opting out after next year he can still get a 5 year deal.
Crap. This contract will hamstring the Cubs spending ability in FA. PCA in CF and Busch at 1B pushes Bellinger to RF and Suzuki to DH. Takes away versatility
That depends. There was a report by somebody( Don’t remember who on this site) That somehow the Cubs would have 70 million to spend even IF Bellinger opted in. I didn’t see how it was possible but I really hope it was accurate. Even with Bellinger being the 9th man with Suzuki and the B/U C being 10, The Cubs do not need 70 million bucks worth of FA’s.
If the numbers in this article are accurate they currently have about 67.5m to spend before hitting the 1st luxary tax. I know Hoyer and Ricketts have said they don’t like to go over it but this year would be as good as any to do it if they really want to field a contending team.
They already did it this year. I highly doubt they want to go over it again. They would rather reset it and they should have no problem doing that. Depending on how much other salary they can trade away. That’s why Hoyer was so dumb for going about 3 million over last year. It was moronic. Especially when you consider the guys he added to go over.
Roster resource has them at $197M so that leaves $44M breathing space to stay under the first cap level.
Who says they are spending up to the cap? Nobody said that. The people on this site assumed it for no reason except fandom.
This site tends to bend the truth in favor of the Cubs. In no reality do the Cubs have 70 million to spend. The owner said point blank they are relying on internal improvements in 2025. He said that but that article wasn’t shared on this site because like I said the truth gets bent sometimes.
They have more than enough to stay ahead of your cardinals.
That’s nonsense. I know Tim lives in Chicago and is a Cubs fan but other than him wanting Contreras back was the most delusional thing I’ve ever heard from him. Obviously he likes Contreras and the rest of us couldn’t wait to see him leave, The other writers here show mostly disdain when you ask a Cubs question. So your statement is a complete crock.
Stay ahead? Last time I checked the Cardinals and Cubs had identical records in 2024.
If what I said is nonsense why is it you don’t know about the end of season press conference where the owner said they were relying on internal improvements? Why is it you know nothing about that yet heard some bs about 70 million?
What i said is true. The Cardinals made one simple statement about payroll going down in the end of season press conference and this site has mentioned that OVER AND OVER since the season ended and their trade candidate list names 7 Cardinals. The Cubs said they are relying on internal improvements and it’s never been mentioned once on this site. Not one time. In fact they ignored that and then shared a nonsense piece from a Cubs writer.
That’s the truth. It’s a fact not opinion.
Yeah but the Cardinals said they’re tanking next year. So……
The Cardinals said they expect payroll to go down because they are spending money on developing young talent and focusing on analytics. How much do you think they are cutting payroll in order to do that knucklehead?
If the team let Goldschmidt, Gibson, Lynn and Middleton go and traded those 7 names mentioned by this site the Cardinals would have a payroll of 50 million dollars.
Do you honestly think thats going to happen????
I saw all the Cubs post season tripe and now know less than I did when I started. I don’t think I’ve been handed so much pablum since I was a baby. And I puked it out the same as did that crap. How did that saying go? Never have so many said so little with absolutely no meaning. And Hawkins is a mute. Some GM.
Google the words Cubs offseason plans. Right after the season ended they had a press conference JUST LIKE THE CARDINALS DID but the contents of that press conference were never shared on this site. Instead they shared an article from a Cubs writer a week later that was filled with nonsense.
Look it up. What I say is the truth. If you don’t think this site has a bias look it up its proof they do.
And I just said, I saw ALL of the Cubs off season nonsense. From EVERYBODY. And it sucked. But since the Cubs haven’t even really started the major roster construction yet nobody even KNOWS what the final tally will be. If Hoyer gets rid of ALL of his pets, Not just Hendricks and Smyly then I could see 70 million being available. Unlikely? Probably. Impossible? Not really.
What major roster construction? They said they were gonna go with the basically the same team as 2024. They said that in the press conference you clearly didn’t watch or read about. They aren’t adding payroll at all. There is no 70 million. I doubt there is 30 million.
Well I’ll try to keep it simple because I know you like that.
Guys who will be here:
Amaya
Paredes( The 3B)
Swanson
Hoerner
Busch
Happ
PCA
Suzuki
Bellinger( Probably-could be moved?)
That’s 9
B/U C-?
3 utility guys who can come from FA or within
Pitching staff is mostly set with everybody signed except maybe a Closer to go with Hodge.
No serious money needed.
Guys who are arb eligible who can be non tendered and are useless
Brewer
Wisdom
Mastrobuoni
Madrigal
Herget
Davis
Mervis
All on the 40 man but useless. Sure it’s peanuts but add the peanuts up and it probably adds 15-20 million to the payroll Tax plan. How in love is Hoyer with these bums? Cut em and see who wants em. Bring em back on minor league deals if you can’t do without them. Just losing Hendricks and Smyly and Lopez probably adds 25 million minus the buyouts.
Right now Spotrac has the Cubs at 155 million plus another 37 million in arb raises for 192 million. Cubs still have to cut 6 guys just to activate all their 60 day guys which will bring it down further. So there’s still a lot of cutting to be done before trade and FA season even starts. That’s how. You get that or do I have to use big letters?
Why are you assuming they are going to come close to the tax line?
Because that nonsense article this site shared about it a few weeks ago suggested so?
Lol
Me? Know what Hoyer is going to do? I can’t even figure what he HAS been doing the last 2 years. Make me laugh. I just wish he’d sit next to Ricketts, Fire Hawkins and hire a real GM to run the team. Instead of a mute lackey. That’s hilarious me figuring out what they’re gonna do. Gut buster. What I’d do is sign Tanner Scott, Re sign Bethancourt unless a better C came along and maybe sign or trade for a number 5 pitcher. Fedde, Buehler or maybe push my chips in on Burnes if it’s reasonable. All I’m sure of is they’ll do none of that And piss me off again.
Well, Mr. Facts, for starters the owner didn’t hold an end of season press conference – much less state that they were relying on internal improvements in such.
Now Hoyer did have an end of season presser, where he said “We haven’t truly gotten into our offseason planning mode yet, so I think characterizing what we’re gonna do this winter it’s too early for that,” Hoyer explained.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals DID make a public statement about reducing payroll.
This site doesn’t give a bigger crap about the Cubs. It only cares about eyeballs for ad $.
Ricketts didn’t hold a press conference but did make a statement that basically gave an even lamer perspective on what Hoyer didn’t say. He talked to bunch of reporters so whether you want to call it one or not he did it Mr. Wizard.
mlb.com/news/cubs-jed-hoyer-discuss-2024-mlb-seaso…
This site is running by Cubs fans. Thats a fact it’s not an opinion. Now why weren’t the contents of this article shared?
Read it fella.
You are wrong click on the link
mlb.com/news/cubs-jed-hoyer-discuss-2024-mlb-seaso…
If the Cubs play better than the Cardinals in 2024 so be it. It’s happened so few times in my lifetime I will manage. But for this site to try to hide what was said about the Cubs and then overemphasize what the Cardonals said at basically the same time in basically the same setting is lame as can be. Really really lame. The Cubs spent 50 million more than the Cardinals in 2024 to have the same record. What’s it gonna take to have a better record 100 million? 150 million more? Apparently you and the writers here think thats the case.
If 20 some million on a still above average to good player hamstrings a team capable of spending to luxury number it’s the front office being awful that is the problem. This contract should have little to no effect.
There is no evidence whatsoever the Cubs are spending up to the luxury tax. Thats an assumption made by the Cubs fans who write for thos site.
A no brainer by Bellinger.
He’s gotta play for the Cubs but yeah probably a good decision.
The only NL Central team to win a championship in the last 10 years.
And that was the Cubs only championship in over 100 years.
And the fix was in?
well the last 10 years are actually relevant, the other 90 are not
so again, Cubbies the only NLC team with a relevant, recent WS victory
sorry the truth hurts you so much
Lol you are just making things up.
Cody Bellinger is a good baseball player. I’m fine with it. I have zero faith in Hoyer to use what maybe would have been his opt out money on anything meaningful anyway.
This was my thought process as well. I just didn’t have faith in Hoyer to make that extra money count if Belli did opt out anyway.
Cody spares us from more absolutely wild takes from the MLBTR writers about his free agency estimates.
They could trade him to the giants they would take him since they have a hard time signing free agents
That was the old Giants management. We don’t yet know how new management will operate.
Damn it!! Between this and the Happ contractual albatross, Jed has truly screwed the Cubs for another 3-4 years.
I hope the Cubs next POBO has a hard policy of not giving out NTC clauses or opt-outs. And for those thinking Cody may be traded, that’s not likely, at least before the 25 deadline. The only position player moves left now are Busch, Paredes, and maybe Hoerner. For starting pitchers, only Taillion is movable. Welcome to Hell, Craig, 25 is looking like another 85-88 win season.
Hey, it could always be worse. You could be a White Sox fan.
Sounds to me, he IS A White Sox fan.
Well Jed hasn’t screwed the Cubs for 4 more years. He’s definitely limited what they can do through 2026 for sure. My math was never stellar but that adds up to 2 more years. And it’s not even screwed as long as Happ and Suzuki keep playing well.
I’m hearing an extension is coming soon for Jed. Not sure how many more years. But it’s likely to be announced this month before the GM meetings in December. We will see.
Huuuuuuuuuuuuaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!! That’s me hurling my guts inside out. Thanks Fred. Just had lunch.
Jed and Carter should have been fired about 17 seconds after the regular season ended, and somewhere around a day or two after Tom put the Cubs up for sale.
Sorry, but I’ll report where and what my sources take me.
Never was a fan of Hoyer myself. The reality is that it makes sense. If Hoyer, who has one year left on his original contract were to be fired, that would have already happened . So, it’s perfectly logical Mr. Ricketts extends Hoyer before GM meetings, Winter meetings and just the overall deal and decision making.
Happ is overpaid he’s not an albatross.
Contracts are bad but certainly not albatross. Should be fired for giving them but they didn’t hurt the team enough to worry about.
It’s the easiest thing to do but Jed didn’t mess it up. He sold veterans for some great prospect returns. Half the teams don’t have a gm capable of that.
an obvious outcome, just like the new Ulcerate album slapping
He’s now officially trade bait.
What an overpayment !
It was that the day it was signed.
3 options here:
1. Trade, now or at the deadline.
2. Let it play out and let him walk. Delay for a year to let the kids mature.
3. Extend and sell prospects for established vets.
I don’t think that I have a opinion right now on this outside of option 2 feels the worst.
3 is the worst. You already have him for 2 seasons. No reason to pay him again for even older lesser seasons. I would celebrate him opting out next year if I was Cubs.
It was expected but still ugh.
Time for a trade
To the Cards for Contreras? They do need a C, and Willson’s production has been very consistent.
A better long term trade would be O’Hoppe with the potential of big upside results.
I knew we would be stuck with him. Thanks Hoyer, another spot youth can’t claim.
Cubs have a nice team and system but not so nice Beli is blocking other players. Guy can play 3 outfield 1b dh they will find a spot for him.
It is not a bad situation. They have solid injury depth unlike last year. Add to it if they tank Jed can sell off short term and open up roster spots while reloading the system.
Caissie is still 22. Alàcantara same. Ballestroes 20. Shaw 22. Caissie will have to be on the 40. Shaw and Ballestroes still have time.
I see Jed targeting a SP and adding a vet bat to the bench. And a vet pen arm. Back up catcher or platoon partner for Amaya. SP he might go bounce back with Brown and Horton looking like long term starters going forward. Taillon falls off and having another established makes sense.
Lest we forget that Kyle Hendricks’ salary is off the books now. Not a huge figure, but that money can be allocated to better production somewhere on the roster in 2025.
This is prob the right decision for him, but I bet he could have gotten a better deal or at least a similar deal. Boras really messed him up and I think he wasn’t willing to test the market. But I do think he could have gotten a 4 year deal for like 100 if he wanted it, maybe even a club option at the end… idk. Give or take a few mill.
Boras made him $60MM over the first two years with the opportunity for more to come.
The Cubs are unlikely to have found a better hitter with this weak free agent class and many of the top trade candidates coming from St. Louis and Milwaukee. They have plenty of money to spend, but won’t do what’s necessary to make the team better. They should be coming after Soto and abandon the Hoyer strategy. Then, trade away some prospects for a top pitcher.
Cubs fans getting a taste of what us Dodger fans got. Good / great year to poor/ average year the following season. Maddening when you know the MVP potential is there. I root for him but I’m glad the Dodgers cut bait
@dodgers
If you’re glad the Dodgers cut bait – – – does that mean you were glad the Dodgers employed the ‘valuable’ Jason Heyward, in Belli’s place for a year and a half? Or Chris Taylor or Kiki? Or then having to trade with the Cardinals for a CF.
I have to admit it worked out, despite all of that.