MLB Rumors: Cody Bellinger Exercises $27.5M Cubs Contract Option for 2025 Season

Cody Bellinger is sticking with the Chicago Cubs.

The veteran center fielder opted into the second year of his deal with a $27.5 million salary in 2025, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan.

Bellinger initially signed with Chicago ahead of the 2023 season on a one-year, $17.5 million deal. After a prolonged free agency before the 2024 season, he landed a three-year deal with the Cubs in February following a terrific season.

The contract has a unique structure that gives Bellinger the ability to opt out after each of the first two years. He will go through this process again next year with a $25 million salary on the table in 2026 if he opts in.

After coming to Chicago following a six-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bellinger had moments of his former MVP self in 2023. He hit 26 home runs and 97 RBI with a .307 batting average and .881 OPS.

That outstanding first year with the Cubs led many to believe Bellinger could help Chicago reach the postseason in 2024, but he didn't offer as much with just 18 homers, 78 RBI, a .266 batting average and a .751 OPS.

Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP and a World Series champion, has certainly regressed since having surgery in 2020, but he's still just 29 years old and has plenty of time to work back toward being the player he once was.

While Chicago's focus seems to be on the future, Bellinger's return could help make a rebuild move along faster than it otherwise would have.