Remember when a grizzled Jed Hoyer gushed over Cody Bellinger in late 2023 when it appeared the outfielder was destined to leave via free agency for what was believed to be a $300 million contract? Hoyer could barely contain himself while discussing Bellinger’s future. The nine-figure offers never came, and the Cubs eventually signed Bellinger to a three-year, $80 million deal with two super-sized opt-outs.
“Belli knows how we feel about him.”
Jed Hoyer on Cody Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/fkk5XnQoFj
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 2, 2023
Rather than test the icy waters of the open market again, Bellinger decided to stick around for Year 2 of the deal and the cool $32.