MLB Rumors: Cubs Remain Cody Bellinger's 'Most Likely Landing Spot' in Free Agency

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly the "most likely landing spot" for free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Bellinger is not close to choosing a destination as he continues to search for the right offer on the open market.

Bellinger spent the 2023 season with the Cubs, re-emerging as one of the best outfielders in the sport. The 2019 NL MVP hit .307/.356/.525 with 26 home runs and 97 runs batted in and earned his second Silver Slugger selection.

The performance was a complete turnaround from a rough three-year stretch for Bellinger, who slashed a dreadful .203/.272/.376 in 295 games from 2020 to 2022.

His free agency has been prolonged in large part as a result of those three years. From 2017 to 2019, Bellinger looked like a superstar in the making and potential cornerstone of the Dodgers franchise. From 2020 to 2022, he was one of the worst everyday players in baseball.

The 2023 season was something of a middle ground, but it's hard to figure out where Bellinger stands—particularly with a nine-figure contract hanging in the balance. His hard hit percentage, barrel rate and average exit velocity were all concerningly low, and Bellinger doesn't walk enough to justify his power regression if he's not hitting for a high average.

There's a decent chance Bellinger's contract winds up looking like an albatross if teams aren't careful.

A return to Chicago would provide him with a park where he excelled and an organization that took a chance on him when few would last offseason.