Cody Bellinger may ultimately end up going…absolutely nowhere.
Appearing Friday on “B/R Walk-Off,” MLB insider Jon Heyman said that the favorite right now to sign Bellinger is the Chicago Cubs. Heyman notes the Cubs are looking at offense and have yet to do much of anything this offseason other than hiring Craig Counsell to be their new manager.
The former NL MVP signed with the Cubs last winter and enjoyed a renaissance year with them (after several straight seasons of injury-riddled and/or shoddy play with the Los Angeles Dodgers). He hit a career-high .307 with 26 homers and 97 RBI in 130 games and won a Silver Slugger Award. Bellinger was also said to enjoy his time with the Cubs, who finished a respectable 83-79.
The Cubs have long been mentioned as a front-runner for Bellinger in free agency this winter along with the Toronto Blue Jays, but the Jays recently brought back center fielder Kevin Kiermaier and may add a different free-agent outfielder as well. With a third prospective suitor seemingly out on Bellinger as well, this may be Chicago’s race to lose at this point.
More must-reads: