Former Dodgers superstar who won’t hit free agency this winter will stay with the team

Former Los Angeles Dodgers MVP Cody Bellinger has picked up his $27.5 million player option with the Chicago Cubs and will officially return to the Cubs for the 2025 season. Kiley McDaniel from ESPN.

Bellinger first signed with the Cubs in December 2022 on a one-year deal with an option for 2024. Bellinger declined his 2024 option but re-signed to a three-year, $80 million contract in February 2024. He will make $27.5 million in 2025 and will have the opportunity to opt out of his contract after the 2025 season.

During the 2024 season, Bellinger slashed .266/.325/.426 with 137 hits, 72 runs, 18 home runs and 78 RBIs.

Before becoming a Cub, Bellinger spent his entire career with the Dodgers. The Dodgers drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut in 2017. Starting in his rookie season, Bellinger became a star for the Dodgers.

Bellinger posted a record-breaking rookie season, hitting 39 home runs and recording 97 RBIs, despite not being called up until late April. He became the first Dodgers rookie to hit for the cycle and broke Mike Piazza’s franchise rookie home run record. He was named an MLB All-Star, won the National League Rookie of the Year award and helped the Dodgers reach the World Series, where they lost to the Houston Astros.

After an incredible rookie season, Bellinger won the NL Championship Series MVP in 2018 before posting the best season of his career in 2019. That year, Bellinger hit .305 with career-highs of 170 hits, 121 runs, 47 home runs and 115 RBIs. He won the NL MVP award and made his second career appearance in the MLB All-Star Game.

Bellinger was unable to repeat his success in the coming seasons. His batting average dropped to .165 in 2021, and he hit just 10 home runs in 95 games that season. His numbers improved in 2022, but not enough as the Dodgers decided not to tender him and let him become a free agent. Bellinger joined the Cubs and bounced back in 2023 by winning the NL Comeback Player of the Year award after hitting a career-high .307 with 26 home runs.