A sleeper team may be after the former slugger that the Chicago Cubs have available.
The majority of people in the Windy City want free-agent utility player Cody Bellinger to return. When it comes to their pursuit, the Chicago Cubs have, thus far, acted fairly coolly. It could be referred to as passive by some.
It has been customary for players to express their desire for Bellinger to return. Shortstop At Cubs Convention, Dansby Swanson made it a point to express his desire for Bellinger to return to the Cubs.
Insiders predict that Bellinger will sign with the Cubs in the end. And Bellinger has plenty of reasons to come back, not the least of which is the fact that he revived his Cubs career in 2023.
Bellinger endured two injury-plagued seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2021 and 2022 while playing on a one-year contract with an option.
Despite missing a month due to an injury, Bellinger, who was designated a Silver Slugger, slashed.307/.356/.525/.881 in 130 games with 26 home runs and 97 RBI in 2023. In addition, he received the NL Comeback Player of the Year award.
However, until that happens, Bellinger’s return to Chicago is not guaranteed. There will be competition until then. Additionally, an insider claims that a “sleeper” is on the rise.
Bellinger was one of the two prominent free agents still available, and USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale said in his Sunday notes column that the Philadelphia Phillies might be a “sleeper” for both of them. Jordan Montgomery, a free agent and left-handed pitcher, was the other.
One significant move made by the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason was signing pitcher Aaron Nola, a free agent, to a seven-year, $172 million contract.
The cost of signing Bellinger might be higher than that of signing Nola, but the Phillies have room. The Phillies’ outfield appears to consist of Nick Castellanos, Johan Rojas, Cristian Pache, and Brandon Marsh, assuming Kyle Schwarber stays in a DH role full-time. Currently, Bryce Harper plays first base.
The Phillies, Nightengale warned, would hold off until the price came down. Who knows what might occur in the upcoming weeks, though, considering how long it has taken Bellinger to secure a deal?
Bellinger would need to close a contract quickly if he wants to have one before spring training.
The Cubs have a clock, much like every other baseball team.
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