Dodgers News: Cody Bellinger Joins Chicago Cubs on One-Year Deal
What a day it’s been at the Winter Meetings — and it just got crazier. Former Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger is officially signing with the Chicago Cubs.
Breaking: Bellinger to Cubs
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2022
The deal is for one year, and reported to be for $17.5 million. Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, had made it clear that they wanted to take a one-year deal with the hopes of raising his value ahead of next year’s free agency — so that’s exactly what they did.
This officially brings an end to the Cody Bellinger era in Los Angeles. Bellinger was drafted by the Dodgers in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, and spent all six years of his career in LA. In 2017, he won the Rookie of the Year Award. In 2019, he won the MVP Award. And in 2020, he got a ring, as a key member of the Dodgers’ World Series championship team.
It didn’t make sense for the Dodgers to bring Bellinger back, but he will still be missed. Hopefully for Bellinger, he can regain some of his old form, and get himself a nice payday next offseason.
The Cubs come to Dodger Stadium very early next season, on April 14-16. It’ll be the first time the Dodgers have to face him in a different uniform — and it will be very, very weird.
The Cubs come to Dodger Stadium on April 14-16 to take on the Dodgers.
It'll be a very early reunion for Cody Bellinger and his former team.
I expect a very warm welcome in LA for Bellinger.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) December 6, 2022
Congrats to Bellinger on his new contract and team. His time in LA will never be forgotten, as one of the true homegrown stars who helped this team win their first championship in over three decades.
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That’s crazy money for a guy who hasn’t topped an OBP of .265 the last two years. Good luck with that, Cubs. I would have been fine with him returning to the Dodgers for less than $10m. $17.5? Ha!
Boras is a super agent that can sell anything. Good for Belli…going to a predominately young and heavy RH lineup. Ross and staff must’ve seen his workouts and see something that can be worked on, which Von Scoyoc couldn’t fix for 2-1/2 yrs.
I predict that Cody will make the Dodgers regret their decision to non-tender him. I think he will have a really good year in 2023. I hope that at the end of this one-year contract that he’ll be performing at a very high level and come back to the Dodgers. I’ll miss him in Dodger blue.
Will be interesting to see if their hitting coaches can fix him.
Meanwhile, Roberts will write a full page apology to Bellinger in the LA Times
Going into the 2023 season, I see the Dodgers with no proven center fielder …. just as the last couple years. They don’t have a proven left fielder, shortstop, second baseman, third baseman and that includes Muncy who hit below .200. Will he improve? I realize that Lux will probably play one of those positions (and probably pretty well). The bench has 38 year old Justin Turner (hopefully) and a player who can play extremely good defense but strikes out over 100% of the time. Starting pitching has too many holes and who is the closer? In spite of all that, I have confidence that the Dodgers will figure it out and be very competitive. I guess that is the definition of the “eternal optimist”.
Congratulations, Cody! The best news is I won’t be subjected to all of those rumor stories about where you’re going to sign!
Good luck, Cody! With the Cubs weak pitching staff, they will enjoy your defensive skills. Hopefully, you will continue your injury recovery and bring back your hitting skills and return to L.A. at the end of this “prove yourself” contract.
All this bandwagon fans caring what Cody would make like if it’s their money that’s funny
While Cubs showing smarts by giving him one year at 17.5 . Guess he’ll be wearing another cap when he goes to the Hall cause he will regain his mvp form .Tou can take that to the bank.
Good luck Cody I know you will regain your mvp form and will eventually end up in the Hall when your career is over. Wish you the best of luck since you were my favorite dodger . From a true Dodger fan not a bandwagon fan
Good riddance!
I agree, he will not be a hofer.