Cody Bellinger signed a short-term deal with the Chicago Cubs last offseason with one goal in mind, re-establish his value and prove to everyone that his previous two seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers was a fluke. Well, the 28-year-old finished the 2023 season as a top-10 hitter in the National League and on Thursday his effort was rewarded.
Bellinger was named the 2023 National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Bellinger was NL MVP back in 2019, but then during the 2020 postseason he suffered a shoulder injury after celebrating in Game 7 of the NLCS. That incident led to offseason shoulder surgery and then a leg injury later on ended with Bellinger having two abysmal seasons with the Dodgers in 2021 and 2022. He was non-tendered following the 2022 season and was then scooped up by the Cubs, who signed Bellinger to a $17.5 million contract that included an opt-out for 2024.
At one point it seemed like Bellinger was single-handedly willing the Cubs into the playoff race, turning his and the team's season around during the summer. Now, Bellinger will enter free agency as one of the top position players available, but even before he signs a big contract, Bellinger is getting a nice bonus for winning Comeback Player of the Year.
Bellinger has earned an additional $1 million from the Cubs with his award win.
Just a little taste of the green that Bellinger will get this offseason. Right now, early offseason projections have Bellinger signing a deal worth between $140 million up to $200 million.
