Cody Bellinger finalized a deal with the Cubs late into the night, with reports emerging around 2 a.m. CT on Feb. 25.
Despite being just one accepted call away, Dansby Swanson opted to decline it and return to sleep.
“I was at a birthday party for Freddie’s [Freeman, assuming] kids,” Swanson informed the media Wednesday. “I saw him [Bellinger] there and he was teasing me about life. Later, when I went home and retired early for the night, I left my phone on loud just in case. Around 10:30 p.m., he called, but I left my phone away from bed. I got up, saw he was FaceTiming me, and instinctively hung up. I didn’t even check. I just dismissed it and went back to bed.
“The next morning, before I woke up, he called again. This time, I answered, and he broke the news [of his signing]. I thought, ‘Maybe I should’ve answered last night.'”
Lesson learned: When Bellinger, a free agent, calls late at night, it’s wise to answer. Nonetheless, Swanson found out the next morning, and the rest is history. Swanson and the team, who advocated for Bellinger’s return to the front office, got their wish.
The deal, worth $80 million over three years, allows Bellinger to opt out after the first and second years, giving the 28-year-old utility man the opportunity to explore free agency again after the 2024 and 2025 seasons. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Bellinger would earn $30 million in both 2024 and 2025, with a $20 million salary in 2026 if he chooses not to opt out.
The late-night agreement between the Cubs’ front office and Scott Boras, baseball’s top agent, secures the North Siders the free agent they needed most throughout the offseason, ensuring the return of a key middle lineup piece.
Bellinger significantly improved his performance in 2023, slashing .307/.356/.525, a stark contrast to his previous lackluster seasons in 2021-22. This includes a dismal 2021 season with a .302 slugging percentage, five points lower than his 2023 batting average.
The contract’s duration provides the Cubs with flexibility in the coming years without worrying about blocking young talent. Moreover, his presence in the lineup alongside Swanson, Christopher Morel, Ian Happ, and Seiya Suzuki restores the Cubs’ offense to its 2023 level.
After a lengthy standoff between the Cubs and Boras, the team’s patient approach paid off, securing the former NL MVP while avoiding any interference from other teams.
With the deal finalized, Cubs fans can anticipate another summer filled with Belli Bombs.
