Cody Bellinger will have little time to prove to the leaders of the Cubs that they made a good deal by signing him and that is why he must be able to return to who he was in 2019, and this, from the next training camp.
Recall that that year, Bellinger had won the title of MVP in the National League by being a dominant and inspiring player. Since then, injuries have made him something the Dodgers could do without, dragging him to the bottom of their offensive lineup.
By signing a one-season deal ($17.5 million) with the Chicago Cubs, the 27-year-old athlete was offered a unique chance to set the record straight with a new team. , but also in a new stadium.
In his last two seasons with the Dodgers, Bellinger batted anemic .165 and .210. The team’s supporters had lost patience and their dissatisfaction with the big number 35 convinced club officials to move on.
According to his agent Scott Boras, the injuries have seriously affected his client over the past few years. The pandemic and the work stoppage did not help him recover adequately to become the player he was since his arrival in the Majors in 2017.
For the Cubs, Bellinger will play mostly his usual center fielder position, but could see some action at first base as well.
In Chicago, he will join Dansby Swanson and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs’ two other big winter acquisitions. Receiver Tucker Barnhart has also just arrived in town to take the place of Willson Contreras behind the plate. Contreras left to replace in turn Yadier Molina in Saint-Louis.
The Cubs’ new outfielder was sold on the city’s merits and the atmosphere at Wrigley Field by his former Dodgers teammate Joc Pederson. The latter loved his time in Chicago and he did not hesitate to mention it to Bellinger.
Bellinger may not have time to bond with his new fans because if the Cubs don’t significantly improve on their 74-game winning record, he may well become a bargaining chip on the date. transaction limit.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, who is one of the most promising young players with the Cubs, knocks on the door of the Majors and plays as center fielder.
