{"id":150454,"date":"2022-12-07T05:21:56","date_gmt":"2022-12-07T05:21:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/cubs-former-dodgers-mvp-cody-bellinger-agree-to-deal\/"},"modified":"2022-12-07T05:21:56","modified_gmt":"2022-12-07T05:21:56","slug":"cubs-former-dodgers-mvp-cody-bellinger-agree-to-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harchi90.com\/cubs-former-dodgers-mvp-cody-bellinger-agree-to-deal\/","title":{"rendered":"Cubs, former Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger agree to deal"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jed Hoyer said the Monday the Cubs have \u201ca lot of offers\u201d out to free agents, and they’ve now made their first significant roster addition of the winter.<\/p>\n

The Cubs have agreed to a one-year deal with former Dodgers outfielder\/first baseman Cody Bellinger, NBC Sports Chicago’s Gordon Wittenmyer confirmed.<\/p>\n

The deal is for one year and worth $17.5 million, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Bellinger was projected to make $18.1 million next season in his final year of arbitration eligibility.<\/p>\n

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Outfielder Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year, $17.5 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 6, 2022<\/a>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Left-handed hitting and center field were among the Cubs’ greatest needs this winter, certainly the latter with top prospects Brennen Davis and Alexander Canario experiencing injury setbacks in 2022<\/p>\n

It’s a fresh start for Bellinger, whose agent, Scott Boras said earlier in the day had multi-year offers on the table but was pursuing a one-year deal.<\/p>\n

Bellinger, 27, was non-tendered by the Dodgers last month following two underperforming seasons that were in part due to injuries.<\/p>\n

He spent his first six seasons with Los Angeles and burst onto the scene in 2017, when he earned NL Rookie of the Year, was named an All-Star and finished ninth in NL MVP voting.<\/p>\n

He put together a stellar 2019, winning NL MVP after hitting .305\/.406\/.629 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs for the Dodgers. He also earned his second All-Star nod that season and took home his first Gold Glove, receiving the honor as an outfielder.<\/p>\n

In the 60-game 2020 season, Bellinger dislocated his right (non-throwing) shoulder celebrating a home run in the NLCS. It required surgery and he has not performed well since.<\/p>\n

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Over the last two seasons, he holds a .193\/.256\/.355 slash line with 29 homers and 104 RBIs in 239 games.<\/p>\n

But with his pedigree, he could be a classic chance-of-scenery guy and is a bounce-back candidate in 2023, assuming his injury issues are behind him. And along with his bat, Bellinger is known as a good defender and baserunner.<\/p>\n

“He’s good,” said Cubs manager David Ross of Bellinger on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings. “Former MVP. He’s got a track record of a lot of success and dynamic defense.<\/p>\n

“I remember when he first got into the league, first base, smooth hands. Dynamic center fielder, great outfielder. Hasn’t had the success he had early on, but definitely a lot of potential for a great player.”<\/p>\n

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