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Cubs Face Mounting Pressure to Sign Bellinger

Originally posted on Chicago Cubs on SI | By Tyler Maher | Last updated Jan 24, 2024 8:00 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have been playing a dangerous game with Cody Bellinger all offseason. The team needs him and wants him back, but isn't willing to meet his considerable contract demands.

The two sides have been locked in a stalemate for over two months with no end in sight. That could be about to change, however, as the Cubs are now facing serious pressure to sign Bellinger.

For starters, time is becoming a significant factor.

Spring Training is only a few weeks away, and Chicago is running out of time to strike a deal with Bellinger.

The clock is ticking.

Furthermore, the Cubs' best backup plan is off the board. Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

Oh, and yes, Boras loves this. His client gets a good deal and now he has major leverage on the Cubs with Bellinger. Jed absolutely has to get that done now which isn't ideal. What a mediocre off-season it's shaping up to be. Hopefully he has something up his sleeve.
— Sam Olbur (@SamOlbur) January 24, 2024

It's bad enough that Hoskins isn't coming to Chicago, and now he'll have plenty of chances to rub it in whenever the Cubs play the Brewers.

Without Hoskins as a fallback plan, Chicago just lost a lot of leverage in its negotiations with Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras.

The Cubs still need a first baseman (surely Michael Busch isn't the answer) and essentially have to sign Bellinger at this point to prevent a massive hole from opening up in their lineup.

Chicago has been waiting for months for Bellinger's price to come down, but they don't have the luxury of time anymore. The Cubs need to give him what he wants before it's too late, otherwise another team will swoop in and leave them empty-handed.

This article first appeared on Chicago Cubs on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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