Chicago Cubs outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger exercised his $27.5 million participant possibility and can stay within the group in 2025, experiences ESPN. The Cubs haven’t but confirmed the information. Bellinger’s possibility got here with a $2.5 million buyout, so it was successfully a $25 million determination. He determined to stay with Chicago moderately than check free company.

Bellinger’s contract features a $25 million participant possibility for 2026. That comes with a $5 million buyout, so between his 2025 wage and 2026 buyout, Bellinger is assured a minimum of $32.5 million subsequent 12 months.

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A 12 months in the past, Bellinger slashed .307/.356/.525 with 26 house runs, which was ok to earn him MVP votes. The contact high quality (exit velocity, and so on.) was underwhelming, although, and chilled the market within the offseason. Bellinger settled for his one-year contract with two participant choices in February, quickly after the Cubs opened spring coaching.

Now 29, Bellinger authored a .266/.325/.426 line with 18 house runs in 2024, which is kind of the hitter his contact high quality mentioned he ought to have been in 2023. Bellinger stays a robust defender who can play heart and first, although he moved to proper subject this 12 months in deference to the dynamic Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The Cubs went 83-79 for the second consecutive season in 2024 and missed the postseason by six video games. Bellinger’s return probably cements the place participant group. Chicago might nonetheless use extra pitching, which makes them like each different group within the league.