The Chicago Cubs have had an interesting offseason.
They opened it by taking manager Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers and then remained fairly inactive for months.
In recent days, however, they have picked up the pace, signing Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga to a four-year deal and trading for designated hitter/infielder Michael Busch and reliever Yency Almonte.
Still, there is a feeling among Cubs fans that this team is still missing something.
Well, someone.
Players tend to agree.
“Dansby Swanson at #CubsCon: ‘Before we get to next year, we have to re-sign Belli,’” CubsZone tweeted, using Swanson’s remarks.
Dansby Swanson at #CubsCon:
“Before we get to next year, we have to re-sign Belli.”
(: @WatchMarquee) pic.twitter.com/UcTKeOe6SD
— Cubs Zone (@CubsZone) January 13, 2024
Cody Bellinger would have competed for the NL MVP award in any other year that didn’t feature three monsters like Ronald Acuna Jr., Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
He was one of the main reasons the Cubs were at the doorstep of a playoff berth last year, with a quality .307/.356/.525 line, 26 home runs, 97 RBI, and a .881 OPS.
He also stole 20 bases for good measure and played his usual good defense in center field, a premium position.
He might have been a bit lucky according to some underlying metrics and data, but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t the most consistent and productive hitter in the Cubs’ lineup all year long.
If Chicago wants to have a chance next year, they must bring back Bellinger at any cost.
He remains one of the most impactful free agents out there, along with J.D. Martinez, Blake Snell, and Jordan Montgomery.
Perhaps Martinez can replicate Bellinger’s numbers, but he is significantly older, without defensive value, and much more injury-prone.
Re-signing Bellinger would make the Cubs instant contenders in the NL Central.
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