Jed Hoyer Gets his Man

Cody Bellinger signs a three-year deal with the Cubs.

Cody BellingerPhoto byCreative Commons: IDSportsPhoto

Cubs' fans woke up to the news that the team had signed Cody Bellinger to a three-year contract. The contract calls for $30 million for the next two seasons, $20 million for the 2026 season, with opt out after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Cubs get some immediate help for the 024 season, and Bellinger gets a chance to go back into free agency after the 2024 season.

If seems like a case of the sides meeting in the middle.

Maybe the Cubs aren’t cheap, just frugal

Many Cubs fans were deriding Jed Hoyer for not caving in to Bellinger and Scott Boras’ demands. As a fan, I found myself vacillating as to what the Cubs should do. At one point I called for the Cubs to offer Bellinger a seven-year deal at $30 million a year. Jed did better.

I admit that as time when on, I was becoming resigned to the idea of the Cubs not bringing Bellinger back. While I think the Cubs could have competed without Bellinger, I like their chances much better with him.

A few possible factors in the signing

If Hoyer was bluffing about the possibility of not bringing Bellinger back, it was a convincing bluff. Trading for Michael Busch was a good start. In addition, the signing of David Peralta also provided some outfield depth.

The Cubs also obviously benefitted from a sluggish Belinger market. Not only that, but other teams were fairly vocal about not being in on the bidding, which helped the Cubs.

Jed Hoyer didn’t bid against himself.

What it means for the Cubs on the field

The most likely scenario is Cody Bellinger is the Cubs center fielder most of the time. However, if Michael Busch washes out at first base, Bellinger could move there with Pete Crow-Armstong manning center.

Or, if Chris Morel can’t handle third base, Michael Busch could move there with Bellinger at first and Crow-Armstong in center.

That’s a lot of potential moving parts.

The Cubs have a lot of young outfield prospects who will be knocking at the door of a major league job. They will see action with the Cubs or be traded off for other pieces.

Regardless, as for now, great job, Jed Hoyer.