In a move that signals the Chicago Cubs’ commitment to keeping their competitive edge, Cody Bellinger has exercised his club option to remain with the team for the 2025 season. This decision greatly boosts the Cubs’ roster stability and offensive lineup as they look to build on the momentum of recent seasons and push for a deeper postseason run.
Cubs’ Outfielder Picks Up Club Option, Will Remain With Team For 2025 Season
Since joining the Cubs, Bellinger has proven to be a transformative presence. Since arriving in Chicago in 2023, the results were precise almost immediately: Bellinger’s bat, fielding skills, and experience provided an invaluable asset to the team. Finishing the 2024 season with impressive offensive numbers, Bellinger’s resurgence in Chicago has been a testament to his adaptability and dedication, reminding fans of the form that earned him the NL MVP award with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019. His impact has matched his impact on the field in the clubhouse, where his leadership and experience have positively influenced younger players and contributed to a winning culture.
For the Cubs’ front office, retaining Bellinger is essential to ensure the team’s competitiveness for the coming season. His decision to stay reflects mutual confidence between him and the organization, as both the club and Bellinger recognize the team’s potential to contend in the playoffs. Bellinger’s blend of power and consistency in the lineup has stabilized the Cubs, particularly as younger players and new acquisitions develop around him. With his ability to play in both center and right field, Bellinger’s defensive versatility makes him an irreplaceable asset on the field, complementing his contributions as a left-handed power hitter who can produce in clutch situations.
Bellinger’s 2025
Bellinger’s return to form in the 2023 and 2024 seasons showed glimpses of his MVP-caliber years with the Dodgers. By working with the Cubs’ coaching staff to adjust his swing mechanics and mental approach at the plate, Bellinger saw a resurgence in his power and plate discipline. These changes resulted in impressive seasons, positioning him as a key piece of the Cubs’ plans. His ability to hit for power and average immediately boosted the Cubs’ offensive productivity and made him a reliable presence in the heart of the batting order. In an era where left-handed power hitters are increasingly valuable, Bellinger’s bat is an asset that Cubs management was eager to retain.
The 2025 season will be pivotal for both Bellinger and the Cubs, as they aim to build on recent progress and solidify a postseason berth. Bellinger’s decision to remain in Chicago allows the Cubs to keep a proven veteran in the outfield while freeing up resources for potential offseason acquisitions in other areas of need. By retaining Bellinger, the Cubs have maintained a strong foundation to build upon, keeping open the possibility of further acquisitions that could push the team closer to a championship-level roster. This continuity in the outfield and at the plate provides Cubs fans with confidence that the team is focused on a winning future.
Veteran Presence
For Cubs fans, Bellinger’s return signals more than just continuity; it’s an affirmation of the team’s commitment to contending. Bellinger’s presence will help anchor an outfield unit that includes young talents, veterans, and promising prospects. His return also aligns with the organization’s overall strategy of blending experience with youth, providing young players like Pete Crow-Armstrong a seasoned mentor in the outfield. Bellinger’s influence will be invaluable to the development of these young players, as he brings both high-level experience and a proven winning mentality to the lineup.
What It Means For The Cubs
Looking forward, Bellinger’s decision to stay with the Cubs is key in ensuring the team’s competitiveness and consistency in the 2025 season. His skill set as a versatile defender, reliable hitter, and veteran presence strengthens a team on the rise. For Bellinger, the opportunity to contribute to a Cubs team with postseason potential was worth committing to, as he expressed his excitement about returning to Wrigley Field for another year and making a serious run at the playoffs. Cubs fans can look forward to seeing Bellinger in Cubbie blue, bringing his signature hustle, intensity, and veteran leadership as the team sets its sights on contending in 2025 and beyond.
Main Photo Credits: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
