Cody Bellinger Now Uncertain About Opting Out Of 2025 Contract With Cubs

[Brock Beauchamp]

The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round...

Contrary to earlier reports from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic is saying sources close to Cody Bellinger suggest he is undecided whether to opt in to another year with the Cubs in 2025.

This isn't surprising, as most opt-out clauses are an easy decision; either the player is clearly worth more than the contract or they're underperforming/injured and have no chance at matching the contract in place. Bellinger is straddling that line with a season (2.2 fWAR with eight games remaining) that makes it hard to judge whether a long-term contract will approach the $27.5 million is he owed by the Cubs in 2025.

Bellinger has remained relatively healthy in 2024, playing 124 games as of this writing. The 29-year-old will have a difficult decision in the coming weeks, though thankfully unlike last offseason, he will have to make his decision to stay or leave just five days after the completion of the World Series.

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[CubinNY]

It's not a no-brainer but it's probably not a tough financial decision to opt-out if he thinks he can get a 5 year deal somewhere. There are other considerations to think about though. I read he's happy in Chicago and his family likes it. I think they live in the Phoenix area in the offseason. 

I like him on the team, but he's not a difference-maker at this point. He has utility and helps the team at various positions. Given the artificial financial constraints, it is probably best for the Cubs if he opts-out.