Cubs' Cody Bellinger looks like MVP again, set for big free agent deal

CHICAGO — Fans are chanting his name from the Murphy’s Bleachers rooftops to the patio bar at Rizzo’s Bar & Inn in Wrigleyville.

They're bowing in reverence from the pricey dugout seats at Wrigley Field.

Teammates are high-fiving him, fist-pumping him and slapping his back in the Cubs dugout.

Cody Bellinger, unceremoniously dumped by the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter, has resurfaced in style, becoming Chicago’s most popular attraction of the summer.

The Cubs, who fully expected to be a year away from contention when they opened the season, find themselves in the thick of the NL Central and wild-card races, thanks to the heroics of Bellinger.

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Bellinger, despite missing a month with a bruised knee, entered Monday hitting .321 with 20 homers, 75 RBI with 18 stolen bases and a .914 OPS.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a player, managing wise," Cubs manager David Ross says, “that’s been so consistently good. He’s so important to our offense, to our defense, and to our team."

This is a 28-year-old player who was the best player in the National League in 2019, winning the MVP, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards, and a year later, was a World Series champion with the Dodgers.

An ill-advised forearm bash, shoulder surgery, hairline leg fracture, weakened strength, bad hitting mechanics, and frayed confidence left him barely recognizable.

Here he was, hitting .305 with 47 homers and a 1.035 OPS during his MVP season, and then hitting .203 with a .272 on-base percentage, .376 slugging percentage and .648 OPS over the next three years.

It got so ugly the Dodgers cut him after the season, declining to tender him a contract.

“He was hurt, plain and simple," agent Scott Boras told USA TODAY Sports in a telephone interview from Japan. “He has surgery, and the Dodgers asked him to play with a 35% strength deficiency, and then with COVID, he was deprived of the expert medical treatment. He didn’t have the shoulder strength. You don’t just go from a .900 OPS to a .500 OPS without understanding the impact of an injury.

“So, when he became a free agent, Cody told me, 'I want to go to teams that know me the best, and I want go go where people understand me.' "

The Colorado Rockies called. So did the San Francisco Giants. There was a third team. And there were the Cubs.

It turned out to be the steal of the winter.

“He’s just must-watch television at this point," Cubs All-Star pitcher Justin Steele says. “Everybody saw what he did in the past. We know what he did. Winning the MVP is not easy, what he did with the Dodgers is nothing short of amazing.

“He’s proving what kind of player he is. The guy is just an unbelievable talent.’’

And, oh yeah, he’s about to get paid like one too.

Boras isn’t tipping his hand at the price tag, but does point out that it’s a thin free-agent market. And, oh, by the way, Mookie Betts was 27 years old, when he received his 12-year. $365 million contract extension three years ago with the Dodgers.

“Demand is often created by rarity,’’ Boras says. “When you have the rarity of age, the skill level, a five-tool player, a Gold Glove center fielder and first baseman who can run, throw, hit, and hit for power, that’s a rare commodity in baseball.

“And the demand for that is very, very high."

Cha-Ching.

The Cubs, who entered Saturday clinging to the final wild-card spot, and five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, certainly plan to be in the bidding to retain Bellinger. The Giants, who have been trying for years to lure a big star to San Francisco, figure to offer him the most money. The Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees could be jumping in, too.

“I love it here," Bellinger says. "It is great here. Wrigley Field is such an amazing place. We’ll see what happens, but for now, we’re in a playoff race. I’m just trying to go out every day and help this team win.’’

Let everyone else worry about his future, Bellinger says, he plans to focus on the present. He’s trying to lead the Cubs to their first postseason berth in a full season since 2018.

“You knew he’d be back, all you’ve got to do is look at the guy’s track record," Cincinnati Reds catcher Luke Maile says. “It’s not like he suddenly forgot how to hit. He’s the type of player that has made the adjustments like we all have to, but it just so happens that he’s got some talent in there where his numbers can get a little more ridiculous than the rest of us.

“It’s just cool to see a guy overcome all of that, especially the way he’s done it. You can’t help but be happy for him.’’

The Cubs will tell you they had a feeling they were going to get the old version of Bellinger. He was working out at their spring-training facility all winter, telling teammates like Dansby Swanson this is the best he has felt in years. The Cubs saw glimpses of the power during the spring. And once the season started, bench coach Andy Green thought he looked a whole lot like the guy that tormented him for four years when he managed the San Diego Padres.

“When he showed up in the big leagues," Green said after Bellinger’s batting practice last weekend, “I thought he was one of the best hitters on the planet. He proved that right away. He’s hitting everything. I’m thinking, this kid has got no holes. How are we going to get him out the next six years?

“So, this year when he started getting hot early in the season, I’m telling everyone, 'I’ve seen this act before.’ God, he’s been phenomenal. As a teammate. A human. A competitor.

“I don’t know how in the world you can be more valuable than he’s been for us."

It was Bellinger’s renaissance that prompted the Cubs to abruptly change plans at the trade deadline. They fully planned to unload, starting with Bellinger and veteran starter Marcus Stroman, grabbing pieces for the future. Instead, they reeled off an eight-game winning streak before the deadline, making it impossible for Jed Hoyer, president of baseball operations, to trade anyone away without fans turning Wrigley into a 10 Cent Beer Night type revolt.

“There was always an ongoing belief like, 'We’re good. We can play,'" Swanson says. “We just had to prove it to ourselves. Cody was a big part of that. He came off the IL, was hitting liners all over, nothing crazy, and then when July hits, he just exploded.

“Hey, talent just doesn’t leave you. Confidence is a real thing. You get that belief back in yourself, and things can take off.’’

Bellinger believes the best has yet to come. He’s in his prime. He’s striking out less than ever before. The power is returning. And the spectacular defense and athleticism has never left.

“I remember getting a call from Cody in spring training," Boras says. “He said, 'Man, this is how I remember it. The game slows down when I’m healthy. I just feel like myself again. For two years, I would see balls that I knew I could crush, but I would miss it or foul them off. I knew something was wrong.' "

In Chicago, Bellinger can’t walk the streets, can’t grab a bite to eat, without being recognized and swarmed by fans. They want an autograph. A picture. At least a couple of minutes to deliver their own recruiting pitch.

“It’s a special place to play, this building is a special place to suit up every day," Ross says, “and our fans deserve us being in this race. They’re amazing.’’

The Cubs will know their fate in five weeks, but no matter what happens, they’re finally in a playoff race again, have Wrigley Field rocking, and a star to call of their own.

“I tell these guys there’s nothing like being in a pennant race," Cubs veteran reliever Michael Fulmer says. “It’s not about next year. It’s not about the year after. You think you’re going to be back, but trust me, you just don’t ever know.

“We’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity, and with Cody here, I tell you what, I’ll take my chances.’’

Who knows, earn a playoff berth, and it just might go a long way in keeping him in Chicago.

“We’ll see what happens down the road,’’ Bellinger says, “but it’s a great organization. I love it here.

“I’m having fun again.’’

Baseball executives, agents and players have been debating all week just how much Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL will cost him in free agency, but there’s also a fascinating underlying theme to the Ohtani narrative.

While the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants were considered the heavy favorites to land Ohtani, several executives and agents told USA TODAY Sports that Ohtani’s injury clearly benefits one team.

Yep, the Los Angeles Angels.

The Angels suddenly may be the favorites to keep Ohtani now that he’s could undergo Tommy John surgery after the season, preventing him from pitching until 2025 while missing the first month of the 2024 season as a DH.

“Teams were looking at him as a No. 1 starter, and the hitting was secondary,’’ one veteran executive said. “The value of Ohtani was 1-1, the No. 1 starter and the greatest DH in game. No one was paying Ohtani to be a No. 3 starter. The teams that are needing a No. 1 starter now won’t go after him.

“So, I really think this dramatically helps the Angels.’’

Certainly, Ohtani is comfortable in Anaheim. He has privileges with his team. He is fully in charge of his playing time. He enjoys his teammates. The laid-back lifestyle fits his personality.

He just wishes they would win more, but after this season has proven, there are no guarantees anywhere.

You think Xander Bogaerts would have signed with the San Diego Padres if he knew the team had no heart and openly quit during games? You think Justin Verlander would have joined the Mets if he knew his stay would last four months? You think Carlos Rodon had any idea he would be joining the worst Yankees’ team since 1992?

Angels owner Arte Moreno knows Ohtani’s value better than anyone. He can calculate to the penny how much money Ohtani generates in tickets sales, merchandising and advertising. Now with the uncertainty of when Ohtani steps on the mound again, anything under $500 million could be rather reasonable.

Teams that previously viewed Ohtani as a No. 1 starter, like the Dodgers, Giants, Padres and Cubs, now may be spending their money on other pitchers.

“It just changes the face of how teams look at him now,’’ one NL executive said. “You’re buying a DH. Having a No. 1 starter is off the table.’’

Ohtani still could return as a starter, of course, although no one has any idea whether he still will be dominant after two Tommy John surgeries.

So many questions that few can answer, but the one team that knows him better than anyone, certainly can take the biggest risk.

The Angels are waiting.

– All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso is expected to be traded by the New York Mets this winter, several executives insist, after conversations with the Mets.

The Mets have informed teams that anyone that isn’t under contract after 2024 will be available, and they have not come close to reaching a contract extension with Alonso in past years. He’s a free agent after the 2024 season.

“The fact that they had every opportunity to sign this guy, and didn’t, speaks volumes about his future,’’ one NL GM said.

– Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto told USA TODAY Sports that he wants to continue playing after this season, and hope that it’s still with the Reds.

The Reds say they won’t make a decision on Votto after the season concludes.

The Reds have a $20 million club option on Votto or a $7 million buyout.

Votto missed 71 games last season and has played just 51 games this season, and is currently on the injured list with a left shoulder strain.

– Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is expected to sign a three-year contract extension this week. There were rumors that the Chicago White Sox would explore hiring Rizzo, a Chicago native, but the White Sox never sought permission from the Nats to interview him.

– The White Sox are exploring the possibility of having a retractable-roof stadium with their current lease expiring after the 2028 season at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The White Sox are currently looking at three sites if they move out of Guaranteed Rate Field in South Chicago:

Moving into a remodeled Soldier Field, where the Chicago Bears are expected to abandon, could be a gold mine for the organization with the number of households and tourists in the area.

– Several GMs are now predicting that the Padres have no choice but to trade outfielder Juan Soto after their horrific season, particularly having no TV deal and Soto seeking at least $500 million in free agency after the 2024 season.

– Four years after helping the Washington Nationals win their first World Series, starter Stephen Strasburg and third baseman Anthony Rendon will go down in history as having two of the worst free-agent contracts.

Strasburg, who signed a seven-year, $245 million contract extension, proceeded to win just one game and pitch 31 ⅓ innings before retiring. The Nats are paying him through 2029 and did not insure the contract.

Rendon, who received a seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels, will have missed 338 games in the past three full seasons if he doesn’t return this year. That’s $71.5 million paid for games that Rendon has not played.

The Angels could simply release him.

– It’s amazing that half the league isn’t hitting .300 these days with everything being deemed a hit these days by the official scorers.

The scoring is so absurd that routine singles hit into the outfield are being called doubles when outfielders bobble the ball or throw to the wrong base.

Too bad Tony Gwynn and Rod Carew aren’t still playing or they’d be hitting .450 with today’s rulings.

You can be assured that agents representing pitchers in arbitration this winter will bring their own videotapes into the hearing room just to show how comical the scoring has become, inflating ERAs.

“It’s an absolute joke,’’ one NL manager said. “It just gets worse and worse.’’

– So, just how long has it been since the Mariners were in first place this late in the season?

Can you believe, Aug. 26, 2003?

20 years.

The Mariners, who were booed off the field on June 30 were 38-42 and 10 games behind the Texas Rangers.

They since are a major-league best 39-16.

– Just a year ago, the only American League pitcher with a lower ERA than White Sox ace Dylan Cease was Cy Young winner Justin Verlander.

This year, only three AL starting pitchers have a worse ERA than Cease (4.87), and two play for the woeful Kansas City Royals.

– The Rangers’ bullpen has prevented them from running away with the AL West. They have blown 23 saves in 47 attempts this year. They have los 15 games in which they’ve led after seven innings.

– MLB security is becoming increasingly concerned with the recent burglaries into the homes of Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy. Also, Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas’ Lamborghini was burglarized in downtown Los Angeles.

– A short film documentary has been made of the life of Dr. Lawrence Rocks, the renowned scientist who has assisted baseball. The film was privately screened at this 90th birthday.

– It’s unreal that of the 26 players on the Angels’ opening-day roster, only seven have not been released, optioned to the minor leagues or gone on the IL.

– The San Francisco Giants have collapsed down the stretch, losing 13 of their last 18 games, and are currently sitting outside the wild-card picture.

– The Oakland A’s have narrowed their list of potential ballparks after their lease expires in 2024 season until their Las Vegas ballpark is ready:

–The Colorado Rockies and veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon, 37, have a mutual interest in a contract for at least 2024, according to the Denver Post. This is the final year of Blackmon’s six-year, $108 million contract.

Meanwhile, the Rockies are planning to move injured outfielder Kris Bryant to first base next season. Bryant, in the second year of a seven-year, $182 million contract, has started just 23 games at first base in his big-league career.

– The Padres will have an intriguing decision on veteran starter Michael Wacha (10-2, 2.63 ERA).

San Diego has a two-year, $32 million club option, but if declined, Wacha has player options for $6.5 million in 2024, $6 million in 2025 and $6 million in 2026.

– It’s a shame the Cleveland Guardians raised the white flag at the trade deadline after being only a half-game out of first place now that manager Terry Francona is strongly hinting at retirement the season’s conclusion.

“I’m at peace," Francona, 64, said to Cleveland reporters. “I love and respect the people here. When you work together, sometimes you start to rub people the wrong way. I care more about these people now than I ever have.

“I also know how I feel about doing the job a certain way. I don’t think I can necessarily do that anymore. That bothers me.”

Next stop: Cooperstown.

– Kudos to Diamondbacks veteran Evan Longoria for his honesty on how he re-injured his back while on the IL.

“I actually just re-aggravated it while getting up off the toilet,’’ Longoria said, “which makes me feel and sound really old. It was a really weird thing, man.’’

– Pretty cool day for Oakland A’s rookie Brent Rooker. He hits a two-run, walk-off homer against the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Coliseum, walks over to the Oakland arena, catches singer Zach Bryan perform in concert, and then sings alongside on stage.

– San Francisco Giants All-Star closer Camilo Doval became the first Giants reliever in franchise history to blow four saves in four consecutive outings.

– Oakland A’s owner John Fisher again reiterated he has no interest in selling his team.

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