Cubs star Cody Bellinger's bounce-back campaign is going exactly as planned. Here's how much he could make after the season.
The Chicago Cubs have benefited the most in the short term from signing Cody Bellinger to a one-year, $17.5 million deal, but they may soon have to say their goodbyes to the aging star.
Bellinger has been scorching hot at the plate in the month of July, and in August, he's doing himself one better.
In July, Bellinger recorded eight homers and 24 RBIs with a 1.122 OPS, equivalent to Angels phenom Shohei Ohtani's numbers that month. In the first week of August, he has struck out just once and has fourteen hits.
In total, through 82 games this year, Bellinger is slashing .332/.383/.935 with 16 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases.
Entering the season, the Cubs had no idea Bellinger was going to garner this kind of production, and they have yet to see if he can sustain it for the rest of the season. Bellinger has nonetheless played his way into a lucrative payday with teams potentially drooling over him in free agency.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale gave a ballpark estimate of the contract Bellinger could command after the 2023 season:
"He's had a big year, so I would think that there will be a massive price tag on him, over $100 million. So I think he's going to be sitting out until next February, signing right around spring training… I wouldn't be surprised if they ask for at least $150 million."
Cody Bellinger may have outpriced his stay in Chicago
The 28-year-old Bellinger has dealt with injuries in the past, and for all anyone knows, his 2023 comeback campaign could be a giant fluke.
Last year, the Dodgers gave up on him, labeling him as damaged goods by the end of his stint in L.A. Chicago took a low-risk gamble on him and it paid off big-time, though it paid off for Bellinger even more.
Managed by agent Scott Boras, Bellinger could ask for as much as $150 million in free agency, per Nightengale. Maybe a reunion with his old team is even in sight. Bellinger's unlikely resurgence proves that he still has his superstar gene and, assuming he can maintain this level of production for one or two more years, that he can contribute on a World Series-contending roster. His bat's on fire. He's playing Gold Glove-caliber defense. This is Cody Bellinger's year, and we're all just living in it.
