Two-time All-Star Cody Bellinger has agreed to a three-year, $80 million deal to return to the Chicago Cubs. The move comes after Bellinger, 28, declined a mutual option to test the open market.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the deal calls for Bellinger to earn a $30 million salary in 2024 and 2025, along with a $20 million salary in 2026, with opt outs in his contract after each of the first two years.
Bellinger was named 2019 NL MVP, hitting the go-ahead homer in the seventh inning of Game 7 against the Atlanta Braves in the 2020 NLCS to bring the Dodgers to the World Series. However he was plagued with injures in 2021/2022, ironically injuring his shoulder after hitting that homer which eventually required shoulder surgery.
The centerfielder hit .193/.256/.355 with 29 homers, 104 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 239 games over the next two seasons before parting ways with the Dodgers and signing a one-year, $17.5 million deal with the Cubs that also included a mutual option for 2024.
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