Sources: Cubs’ Bellinger opts in for next season

CHICAGO — Cubs infielder/outfielder Cody Bellinger is staying in Chicago after opting into his contract for 2025, sources tell ESPN.

Bellinger, 29, could have become a free agent this winter after signing a three-year, $90 million deal with the Cubs before last season, which included separate opt-out clauses after the 2024 and 2025 seasons, respectively. He’ll be paid $27.5 million next year (with a $2.5 million buyout) and then faces the same decision after next season.

Bellinger had an OPS-plus of 111 last season, down from 139 in 2023, his first with the Cubs. He hit 18 home runs in 2024 after hitting 26 the previous season. His numbers don’t compare to those from his early years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he won the NL MVP in 2019, but he’s still a valuable left-handed bat in the Cubs’ lineup. He has also become a killer against left-handed pitching, hitting .298 off lefties in 2024 after hitting .337 off them in 2023.

Bellinger started the year in center field but finished it in right because of the emergence of prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, who has Gold Glove ability in the outfield. Bellinger can also play first base but rookie Michael Busch established himself at that position, improving on defense throughout the season. As currently constituted, Bellinger would remain in right field keeping Seiya Suzuki at DH after he played below average defense until Bellinger took over.

Without a trade, the Cubs do not have much flexibility within their position player group which helped the team to back-to-back 83-win seasons. The organization is counting on several players — like Crow-Armstrong and Busch — to take the next steps in their careers while also hoping others exceed expectations. Bellinger might be included in that group after his OPS dropped to just .751 last year, though Wrigley Field played as a pitcher’s friendly park in 2024.