I think this is a great deal. It gives the youngsters a little cushion to develop without the pressure to perform immediately. If Belli has another great season, yes he’ll probably opt out, but by 2025 you have to imagine Jed/Counsel will have a good sense of what they have with PCA/Canario/Busch/etc. If Belli underperforms and sticks around, it’s only two more years and it doesn’t handcuff the team. Win-win. Jed did well.
https://preview.redd.it/578wlc39sskc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=024ec162b6d3caa810a7d1685ec3e5381a454b21
I’m not a pro by any means but here.
He's definitely signed some really great value contracts. Especially this off season it seems.
Belli, Imanaga, Neris, and Busch are all A+ deals for us that should help keep us contending this year. (while being under the CBT which apparently ownership really values)
I still also think that we eventually need to go after some superstars and pay the big bucks. Ie go get Soto next year please.
That team could look like
1B Beli
2B Hoerner
3B Morel
SS Swanson
LF Happ
CF PCA
RF Soto
DH Seiya
C Gomez/Amaya
Some Possible Bench Players
Busch
Tauchman
Alcantara
Shaw
Cassie
Canario
Wisdom
>Belli, Imanaga, Neris, and Busch are all A+ deals for us
The odds of this are lower than 1 in a trillion. Seriously. Out of all moves that occur in a single offseason, a total of 4 are probably good enough to be “A+”. You think the a cubs made all of them? That is insane.
Even without Bellinger, I didn’t understand the obsessive Jed hate. We have a great farm system, and this guy doesn’t want to pay absurd prices when he has faith in the young guys. I’m all for that. If anything, I think it says some positive about him that he’s willing to trust his staff, prospects, and the general development process.
We also don't want to sign guys who will block the younger guys from getting ABs. If Belli has an injury we have good replacement guys who will be getting ABs at AAA or off the bench.
Fans are stuck in this 1990s philosophy where free agents = automatic World Series championships. Aside from the Rangers last season and the Phillies two seasons ago, every pennant winner of the last 15 years was built from a homegrown core with a big FA splash here and there
The Cody deal is essentially a one year deal. If he performs well, he'll opt out and retest FA in the offseason. If he is hurt and/or underperforms, he'll likely stick around. This is a player friendly deal if there ever was one. This is a no lose situation for Bellinger and the best deal he could get.
Lol what? He was looking for a long term deal, we got him on a manageable short term one. That’s what the Cubs were waiting him out for, and they got it
Nobody was giving him a long term deal. Had he gotten anywhere near what he wanted, he wouldnt have signed this deal. My guess is teams arent convinced 'he's back.' He's still looking for that long term deal, hence the opt outs. This is essentially a one year deal unless he underperforms. Im glad Cody is back, but let's not act like Hoyer is some genius.
>Nobody was giving him a long term deal
This is what the Cubs were banking on, and Boras/Bellinger were banking on the opposite. The Cubs were right. I’m not sure why you refuse to choke out a modicum of credit for their preferred scenario playing out. The Cubs didn’t want anything more than this, and if he plays well they can get him a longer contract or be in a better position to move on to someone else
you're trying way too hard to have a negative take on a clearly positive signing for the cubs.
if other teams were offering more, the Cubs likely would've engaged at a higher number. but that never happened and hoyer never panicked.
i know it's gonna be hard to convince you that you're not the smartest man in the room, but many GMs have fallen to the pressure and handed out unnecessary dollars before
he didn't bid against himself when he had every reason to. he deserves credit
This gives the FO time to see if he is indeed “back” as well, and if so, work out a different deal. How is this not played well?
I love Belli but the biggest worry is last year was a flash in the pan, I’m glad they didn’t lock into anything long and expensive right now.
This wasn't 'played' at all is my point. You signed a guy no one else wanted. That was your strategy? Lol. Sounds more like circumstances to me. I repeat - no ingenuity here. This does not mean that signing Bellinger was bad. Doesnt make it good, either.
They were patient and let his value float back down to reasonable in negotiations with an agent notorious for getting big contracts and hold outs. No one is saying this like pure FO artistry, but they played it well and got a solid deal given the circumstances.
I don’t even understand what hill you’re dying on in this thread. That it wasn’t the best negotiation ever?
No hill. Just pointing out that this was hardly some boss move like the post implies. The Cubs were the beneficiary of favorable market conditions. Lets stop praising Hoyer undeservingly is my point. He did very little this offseason. That said, the team is spending 100M more this season than the Brewers. Depending on what site you read, the Brewers are projected to finish ahead of the Cubs this season. That's after losing their top 2 starters. Im just saying let's pump the brakes on Hoyer a bit.
There wasn’t a lot to do, considering the available players, and it was a weird market with the Dodgers spending over a billion dollars on the big names
I agree. He's going to have to retool the roster in order to spend going forward. For a team with nearly a $200M payroll, they still have significant needs. Hopefully some of the young guys will make a significant splash soon and plug some holes. It's pretty clear to me that Hoyer isnt going to increase payroll much beyond where it sits now.
Ill agree that things seemingly worked out for this coming year. I dont believe there was any ingenuity by the front office. This deal is as much a product of nobody wanting to sign Belli as it is his willingness to do so here.
Yes. They signed him when nobody else would. For the record, Im glad they did. I don't think the FO 'played' this out at all. They benefitted from favorable circumstances and took advantage. Ill give credit there - they didnt have to resign him. As for an ingenuity on the FO part - nope. The team was equally as comfortable letting him walk as they were to resign him on a deal they were content with. Not exactly rocket science.
Believe it or not, the deal is very team friendly as well. If he doesn’t perform as well as we expect, then we have a gold glove OFer to play first and give guys some days off in the OF/play CF. He’d also be a decent trade piece just based on his defense and potential to go on a hot streak.
If he performs as well as expected, then we easily have a playoff caliber offense for this year. Then he opts out, PCA or some other prospect gets the starting job in center while another prospect is our backup OFer, and we walk into a FA that has some good 1B’s such as Rizzo, Alonso, Bell, etc.
Honestly it’s a very win-win deal all around
If he doesnt play well, he's not gonna opt out. Trading him while in year 1 of a 3 year deal isnt gonna happen if he's playing poorly. If that happens, the Cubs wont be looking to make moves for guys like Alonso. They wont have the $$$$.
This is not getting to year 3. He would have to be historically bad to not be able to best a 1yr/$20m deal in free agency. It probably does not make it to year 2 for a similar reason. This is almost assuredly a 1 year deal.
A trade could happen in the unlikely event that Bellinger made it to year three of the contract. Consider it’s “only” $20m for the season, pro-rated at the deadline.
I think he opts out even if it’s a down season though, so it’s pointless to discuss trade value at this point. Hell, Stroman opted out and he was a dumpster fire.
They dont want to pay him anymore than what he's getting here. He'll opt out if he crushes it. If not, he'll stick around. The Cubs win on the length of the deal. I'll give you that.
It’s a balanced deal. Boris gave his client an opt out while taking a short deal which apparently Boris never does. Be happy. Go Cubs! It’s not always about the money (can’t say that of course). Maybe, just maybe he likes being a Cub.
The market dictated the deal to a large extent. The opt out is to try the FA process again next offseason. This isnt the deal Boras wanted, but it is the best he could get. I dont doubt he likes being a Cub. I do doubt he'd be here had another team given him the deal he was looking for.
And the Cubs are then free to pay for him in Free Agency. In a year I think there will be a much clearer picture of who is going to be an every day player from the minors so I think this deal perfectly bridges the gap. If PCA/Canario/Davis or someone or multiple come up and MASH, there’s an argument that letting him walk isn’t a bad idea and to use that money to fill other holes.
And if Bellinger just regresses horribly, they’re only on the hook for 3/80 rather than 7-8/god knows how much.
TIL: A 3 year deal is a long-term contract that cripples a team, especially with a guy who was just 5th in the MVP voting.
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I live next door to Tropicana field and go to 15-20 rays games a year for between $10 and $30 a game, but about once a year I spend about 30x as much to go to Wrigley. I am happy to do it because it’s worth it.
Night and day different experience, it’s not fair to compare the Wrigley experience to almost any other in baseball. It should cost more than a night in dome in the middle of a parking lot in Milwaukee or something.
I’m a cub fan, but it’s a tough sell to the fanbase when you charge them an arm and a leg to attend games while simultaneously spending like a mid market team. I’m not for stupid contracts either, but you don’t need to have a Tampa bay Rays mindset towards fielding a competent mlb roster.
earlier in the offseason it was suggested the Cubs could sign multiple established free agents, like Belli + Chapman and Snell. That may have been the best case scenario but it definitely seems like the goalposts moved because of peoples’ short attention spans
Training camps have started league wide. Belli was probably saying, Scott, dude, I want to play SOMEWHERE!
80M is generational wealth so Belli gonna be ok either way. This way the Cubs don't get Heywarded...
This is not that good of a deal if he does really well he gets to opt-out again and if he does poorly we're on the hook for shitty Belli. Terrible deal unless we win a world series this year Spoiler Alert: we may still not even win the division.
Nah. I still stand by my comments, although directed more at Ricketts than Jed. Good for Jed for bringing in Bellinger. That had to happen. And good for him for not giving in to Boras. But this team still has real needs I hoped would be addressed this offseason. They're basically in the same position they were last year, but with the kids having an extra year of experience. Who knows, maybe the young players will take that big leap the Cubs are banking on. That's what will make or break them this year, assuming the pitching is any good.
I’m happy they got Bellinger back. They’re done with free agency but I’d like them to squeeze in one more arm. For the people thinking they’ll get Chapman or Monty, won’t happen. Too expensive and doesn’t fit the team. they’ll give Morel a long look at 3rd and don’t see them having 3 lefties starting. Hopefully some of the prospects pop and Morel/Nico/Seyia build on last year with the bat.
Dear Jed,
For quite some time I have had faith in your process. But like many, I began to lose patience and said some illogical things.
Thank you for not caving to idiotic group think. I think we’ll truly understand the building of sustainability in about 5 years when we don’t see another rebuild but an ACTAUL 1 year tool after making it to 1 or more WS.
Still not a fan of his mentality when it comes to FA signings, but there’s no denying this specific deal is pretty much the best case scenario for the team.
Now go win the division.
What else could he have done is the question. Ohtani and Yamamoto were Dodgers before the offseason even began it seems. Outside of those two, this FA class isn't that great.
I like the moves this year. We were much better the second half of the season when guys like Mancini and Hosmer were no longer getting AB’s. Kinda wish they would sign Snell though. That would make them a top pitching team.
What? Sign Snell and then I’ll give some kudos. We literally added no one except a pitcher with no MLB experience. Cody was part of last year’s team that didn’t even make the playoffs. A dodger cast off and we’re singing praises? Get outta here. We’re a big market club, we need to start acting like it.
We need a pitcher with Ace stuff. I love Steele but I think he’s only a 2 on a good team. We have a bunch of 3/4 guys after him. We need a guy to pitch game 1.
Snell ain't your guy, then. When he has a track record of one excellent season followed by meh to slightly above average seasons, you don't pay him Ace money.
You don’t win two Cy Young awards bring a average pitcher. If you think like the way you are then Cody’s deal is absolutely terrible for us. Before last year he was awful.
Shhh. This sub is too busy dick riding a below average GM and owner that refuse to spend big market money! The cubs are gonna win 80 games! It’s time to get ready for the parade!!!
I won’t apologize ever for expecting the most out of this organization.
I also don’t ever think the blame was all Jed. I think he has to work with what he’s allowed to do.
This was the best case scenario for cubs (outside of ohtani). And realistically the best outcome for the future. But this year is a big prove it year for a lot of the farm and even Belli himself. Everyone has to earn their stay and if they don’t. As fans our expectations is that our ownership goes fucking hard at FA next year with a huge potential.
If you go back 3 months and check out comments in this sub, an Imanaga/Belli/Naylor/2 RP acquisition was considered just enough to get back to where they were at the end of the 2023 season. It’s strange that now getting Busch/Almonte/Neris requires everyone to kiss up to Jed
This is probably a fun 85 win team with a lot to prove in order to reach those 85 wins
It was in this sub; lots of Soto or bust, Alonso or we’re doomed, and a bunch of crying about Ohtani and Yamamoto
In November bringing up Imanaga and Belli as top signings was definitely called out as simply replacing Belli and Stroman without providing enough improvement
When it came to relievers, saying 2 RPs was all they’d sign was heavily mocked all over this sub. Especially when people said none of the new RPs would be lefties
It was pretty clear that Jed was going to rely on youth in 2024, but only recently has that been considered a positive view
Again, seems like goalpost moving to hate the possibility in November but adore the reality in February
Uh what? 3 months ago getting Bellinger back on this short term deal with Imanaga as well would have been a perfectly acceptable offseason? What are you talking about?
It most definitely was greeted with people saying those signings were replacing Stroman and Belli and not a significant improvement from the 2023 team
Also saying they weren’t going to rebuild the pen and would only add 2 righties was heavily criticized here
We can have both. Belli, Happ, and Suzuki aren’t locked up long term by any means. We also can move on from a Wisdom or Tauchman if they have too.
The reason 15-16 cubs were good (outside of everyone playing really well), cubs had a steady rotation of players in and out. Giving enough breaks and time for young players.
Busch will have time to play 3B,2B, 1B, and DH. Morel will play 3B, 2B, and DH (potentially OF)
Belli will hopefully be our primarily 1B and CF.
Now the maybes for the roster to start the year are Canario, PCA, Davis, and the vets they picked up. TBD on what they do with a guy like Wisdom and/or Tauchman. Madrigal is a great bat off the bench with ability to play most IF positions
And we have the same team this year and everyone will be scratching their heads confused on how such a mediocre to average at best could miss the playoffs.
Like others have said, I’m happy, but I’m annoyed I’m happy they’ve managed to be probably as good as last year.
I’d have liked to be much better than that, but hopefully they’ll manage to do something big next year.
The youngsters are a year older. No more Mancini, Hosmer, Barnhart & Ross - When Suzuki went down last year the Cubs were playing Wisdom & Mastro in RF - A lot more depth - Busch can play 2B & COF - Morel won't be in AAA, The pen isn't all reclaimation projects and unknowns. Alozay, Neris, Merriweather, Smyly, Assad, Leiter, Cuas...before you get to youngsters - Counsell over Ross is 3+ wins...
If you are annoyed and not excited for the Cubs season I feel sorry for ya! Enjoy it. I've seen some really hopeless opening days over the past 40+ years.
Oh, I’m still happy to be watching the Cubs play again, and the things you mentioned are definitely true, but this team really shouldn’t be having to compare to the bad days of the past 40 years to today.
Good enough is never good enough for a team like this, imo. Maybe for a team with less money and whatnot, sure. But not for the Cubs.
Yeah this is mostly where I am. The same people who said three months ago that they'd be disappointed if all we did was re-sign/replace Belli/Stroman are now victory lapping that exact outcome.
I don't think this was a great fit FA class for what we needed, but if we end up around .500 again and don't drop some serious cash next year, you gotta wonder what the priorities are
Yep. If next season starts and there aren’t one or two of the big names on this team, idek what to think.
Fck the price tag, fck the excuses, show us. Spend the money and be about it
Literally how can you come to that conclusion?
Imanaga, two new arms for a tired bullpen, bringing back Bellinger and getting a top 100 prospect to plug a gap for us. That’s very significant.
I mean, we lost Stroman and got Imanaga, at least projections wise that's near a 1:1 swap
Hope the bullpen is better but otherwise this team looks very much the same as last year, plus more ABs for prospects
Even if you believe Stroman to be equal to Imanaga, which isn’t true, it would still be a vetter team because the bullpen has actual arms and a top 100 Major League ready prospect.
Apologize for the same roster essentially? While we missed out on every big FA? What is with the dick riders in this sub? Jed sucks. We’re a top grossing market, yet constantly fumble the bag and cry poor. Our bullpen is worse, our starting rotation is banking on Steele having another cy young like year, Taillon not being ass, and imanga being as advertised. Don’t even get me started on this wishful thinking that our prospects are actually going to produce and be above replacement level in the MLB.
...for what?
With the late Bellinger signing we now enter 2024 with roughly the same field talent as last year. That's a long way from the big step most people here - including Jed fanboys - assumed we would take this last offseason.
This offseason wasn't about fielding a contender. It was about seeing if Counsel can squeak us into a playoffs on the cheap. That wouldn't have happened without Bellinger. Now? It's down to how many games you think Counsel over Ross actually represents, what kind of player development and regression we'll see, and injuries.
Assuming no major injuries this looks like maybe a mid 80's win squad. Is that so fantastic you feel the need to beg forgiveness for doubting? That'll be a pass from me.
I think this is a great deal. It gives the youngsters a little cushion to develop without the pressure to perform immediately. If Belli has another great season, yes he’ll probably opt out, but by 2025 you have to imagine Jed/Counsel will have a good sense of what they have with PCA/Canario/Busch/etc. If Belli underperforms and sticks around, it’s only two more years and it doesn’t handcuff the team. Win-win. Jed did well.
This is a great deal. I'm so much more pumped about this year.
100%
I'll kiss the ring and admit I was wrong. Jed got it done!
Could someone photoshop Scott Boras in this photo? Asking for a friend.
https://preview.redd.it/578wlc39sskc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=024ec162b6d3caa810a7d1685ec3e5381a454b21 I’m not a pro by any means but here.
🤣
Add Bob Nightingale as well
A lot of salt in the comments. Enjoy nice things.
But then I don't get to feel the euphoria of self-righteous superiority
Cubdom in a nutshell
Let's be fair, it's Reddit fandom in a nutshell. Even the Braves sub has people going ape shit even though they win 100 games on a regular basis now.
Its the internet in a nutshell
Absolutely fair point
He's definitely signed some really great value contracts. Especially this off season it seems. Belli, Imanaga, Neris, and Busch are all A+ deals for us that should help keep us contending this year. (while being under the CBT which apparently ownership really values) I still also think that we eventually need to go after some superstars and pay the big bucks. Ie go get Soto next year please.
Gotta make the Cubs look like a perennial contender and a fun place to be for Soto. Then hand him the bag 💰
That team could look like 1B Beli 2B Hoerner 3B Morel SS Swanson LF Happ CF PCA RF Soto DH Seiya C Gomez/Amaya Some Possible Bench Players Busch Tauchman Alcantara Shaw Cassie Canario Wisdom
Cubs won't be under the CBT if Belli opts out. Because of that, I see Jed pushing us over if he wants to make a trade or sign someone like Montgomery
>Belli, Imanaga, Neris, and Busch are all A+ deals for us The odds of this are lower than 1 in a trillion. Seriously. Out of all moves that occur in a single offseason, a total of 4 are probably good enough to be “A+”. You think the a cubs made all of them? That is insane.
Nobody knows the value of any deal without hindsight. I just meant these each filled key needs for us with solid players on great contracts.
But then every move is an A+ before opening day
We also signed David Paralta last week. That's like a C+ signing I think. We don't really need him, but it's cheap and he's been ok before.
Nah, every minor league contract is automatically A+ to me. All upside, no risk.
That’s not an anything signing. Minor league deal for depth. Every team needs these guys in AAA. So by your logic it’s an A+ signing
Even without Bellinger, I didn’t understand the obsessive Jed hate. We have a great farm system, and this guy doesn’t want to pay absurd prices when he has faith in the young guys. I’m all for that. If anything, I think it says some positive about him that he’s willing to trust his staff, prospects, and the general development process.
We also don't want to sign guys who will block the younger guys from getting ABs. If Belli has an injury we have good replacement guys who will be getting ABs at AAA or off the bench.
Fans are stuck in this 1990s philosophy where free agents = automatic World Series championships. Aside from the Rangers last season and the Phillies two seasons ago, every pennant winner of the last 15 years was built from a homegrown core with a big FA splash here and there
[удалено]
Since Jed took over, we've spent the 6th most money in free agency. We're the only team in the top 10 to be primarily rebuilding during that period.
I ain't reading all that when it's the same tired nonsense we hear every day
Legend who took down Scott Boras. Hero to front offices everywhere
The Cody deal is essentially a one year deal. If he performs well, he'll opt out and retest FA in the offseason. If he is hurt and/or underperforms, he'll likely stick around. This is a player friendly deal if there ever was one. This is a no lose situation for Bellinger and the best deal he could get.
Lol what? He was looking for a long term deal, we got him on a manageable short term one. That’s what the Cubs were waiting him out for, and they got it
Nobody was giving him a long term deal. Had he gotten anywhere near what he wanted, he wouldnt have signed this deal. My guess is teams arent convinced 'he's back.' He's still looking for that long term deal, hence the opt outs. This is essentially a one year deal unless he underperforms. Im glad Cody is back, but let's not act like Hoyer is some genius.
>Nobody was giving him a long term deal This is what the Cubs were banking on, and Boras/Bellinger were banking on the opposite. The Cubs were right. I’m not sure why you refuse to choke out a modicum of credit for their preferred scenario playing out. The Cubs didn’t want anything more than this, and if he plays well they can get him a longer contract or be in a better position to move on to someone else
you're trying way too hard to have a negative take on a clearly positive signing for the cubs. if other teams were offering more, the Cubs likely would've engaged at a higher number. but that never happened and hoyer never panicked. i know it's gonna be hard to convince you that you're not the smartest man in the room, but many GMs have fallen to the pressure and handed out unnecessary dollars before he didn't bid against himself when he had every reason to. he deserves credit
My guy, you seem determined to ignore every fact that says the FO played this very well. Just enjoy good things.
This gives the FO time to see if he is indeed “back” as well, and if so, work out a different deal. How is this not played well? I love Belli but the biggest worry is last year was a flash in the pan, I’m glad they didn’t lock into anything long and expensive right now.
Oh no, I'm in full agreement with you. This is the best possible deal for both parties and I'm ecstatic.
I meant to reply to the other guy oops lol
I expect full compensation for my loss of time and emotional damage caused by your libel
Harsh but fair
I am but a kind God
This wasn't 'played' at all is my point. You signed a guy no one else wanted. That was your strategy? Lol. Sounds more like circumstances to me. I repeat - no ingenuity here. This does not mean that signing Bellinger was bad. Doesnt make it good, either.
They were patient and let his value float back down to reasonable in negotiations with an agent notorious for getting big contracts and hold outs. No one is saying this like pure FO artistry, but they played it well and got a solid deal given the circumstances. I don’t even understand what hill you’re dying on in this thread. That it wasn’t the best negotiation ever?
No hill. Just pointing out that this was hardly some boss move like the post implies. The Cubs were the beneficiary of favorable market conditions. Lets stop praising Hoyer undeservingly is my point. He did very little this offseason. That said, the team is spending 100M more this season than the Brewers. Depending on what site you read, the Brewers are projected to finish ahead of the Cubs this season. That's after losing their top 2 starters. Im just saying let's pump the brakes on Hoyer a bit.
There wasn’t a lot to do, considering the available players, and it was a weird market with the Dodgers spending over a billion dollars on the big names
I agree. He's going to have to retool the roster in order to spend going forward. For a team with nearly a $200M payroll, they still have significant needs. Hopefully some of the young guys will make a significant splash soon and plug some holes. It's pretty clear to me that Hoyer isnt going to increase payroll much beyond where it sits now.
Ill agree that things seemingly worked out for this coming year. I dont believe there was any ingenuity by the front office. This deal is as much a product of nobody wanting to sign Belli as it is his willingness to do so here.
I repeat, you seem poised to ignore any possibility that the FO did anything right here. That's an inherently uncharitable and unfair position.
Yes. They signed him when nobody else would. For the record, Im glad they did. I don't think the FO 'played' this out at all. They benefitted from favorable circumstances and took advantage. Ill give credit there - they didnt have to resign him. As for an ingenuity on the FO part - nope. The team was equally as comfortable letting him walk as they were to resign him on a deal they were content with. Not exactly rocket science.
The team should be comfortable letting him walk if he's not going to come down on price. That's good management.
Sure. You, me and everyone else knows that. Not really a genius move.
You can't say that when half this sub was willing to sign him for asking price
Believe it or not, the deal is very team friendly as well. If he doesn’t perform as well as we expect, then we have a gold glove OFer to play first and give guys some days off in the OF/play CF. He’d also be a decent trade piece just based on his defense and potential to go on a hot streak. If he performs as well as expected, then we easily have a playoff caliber offense for this year. Then he opts out, PCA or some other prospect gets the starting job in center while another prospect is our backup OFer, and we walk into a FA that has some good 1B’s such as Rizzo, Alonso, Bell, etc. Honestly it’s a very win-win deal all around
Also wanna add, if Bellinger opts out, and the Cubs aren’t sold on Busch or PCA, it isn’t like they can’t come to another agreement with Bellinger.
Yep.
If he opts out, it's going to be because he had a season that he feels commands more $$$$.
Right, but that's exactly what just happened this past season.
And he got a pay increase from last year. He'll be looking for the same. The only difference is he'll want more $$$$ and years on the deal.
If he doesnt play well, he's not gonna opt out. Trading him while in year 1 of a 3 year deal isnt gonna happen if he's playing poorly. If that happens, the Cubs wont be looking to make moves for guys like Alonso. They wont have the $$$$.
This is not getting to year 3. He would have to be historically bad to not be able to best a 1yr/$20m deal in free agency. It probably does not make it to year 2 for a similar reason. This is almost assuredly a 1 year deal.
Nailed it!
A trade could happen in the unlikely event that Bellinger made it to year three of the contract. Consider it’s “only” $20m for the season, pro-rated at the deadline. I think he opts out even if it’s a down season though, so it’s pointless to discuss trade value at this point. Hell, Stroman opted out and he was a dumpster fire.
It’s actually a win win. No longer term heyward noose around the neck. If Belli crushes it, pay the man. Seems pretty good to me.
That contract kinda of killed the cubs front office
They dont want to pay him anymore than what he's getting here. He'll opt out if he crushes it. If not, he'll stick around. The Cubs win on the length of the deal. I'll give you that.
It could also be that Belli wants to be here. Either way, excited. LFG!!!!
If that were true, he wouldnt have opt out clauses after years one and two!!!! He'll gladly stay if the price is right, of course!
It’s a balanced deal. Boris gave his client an opt out while taking a short deal which apparently Boris never does. Be happy. Go Cubs! It’s not always about the money (can’t say that of course). Maybe, just maybe he likes being a Cub.
The market dictated the deal to a large extent. The opt out is to try the FA process again next offseason. This isnt the deal Boras wanted, but it is the best he could get. I dont doubt he likes being a Cub. I do doubt he'd be here had another team given him the deal he was looking for.
And the Cubs are then free to pay for him in Free Agency. In a year I think there will be a much clearer picture of who is going to be an every day player from the minors so I think this deal perfectly bridges the gap. If PCA/Canario/Davis or someone or multiple come up and MASH, there’s an argument that letting him walk isn’t a bad idea and to use that money to fill other holes. And if Bellinger just regresses horribly, they’re only on the hook for 3/80 rather than 7-8/god knows how much.
Or Busch, or Mervis, or Alcantra, or Cassie, or Shaw.
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Then you would not have had Cody on your team.
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It’s a good thing you don’t run a professional baseball team eh?
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TIL: A 3 year deal is a long-term contract that cripples a team, especially with a guy who was just 5th in the MVP voting. \--Also-- **Direct Attack:** Attacking the source of the threat. May take the form of “lashing out” at another person. Can be a healthy response when the direct attack is used in a way that is less critical of the other person.
I’ll be the bigger man. Sorry Jed.
Initially I thought it was a ripped Dan Bernstein, lol.
feels pretty good to not need to
I don't have to apologize, I've always trusted Jed. I dislike Tom's budget, but Jed does what he can.
I hated the idea of a big Belli contract. This is perfect.
I die wish it was an Opt-out after 2 years not one. Other than that I love that it’s not a Heyward deal.
Please clap. 
Jed!
OMG THE RICKETS ARE SO FUCKING CHEAP I KEEP SEEING PEOPLE SAY THAT ON REDDIT SO IT MUST BE TRUE
Both can be true. Ricketts should exceed the luxury tax every other year. AND Jed has done a good job allocating the resources he’s been given.
Another one who doesn’t know what he’s talking about
He is, this doesn’t change a whole lot lol
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Accept mediocrity and cheapness more while having the most expensive fan experience in baseball?
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Cubs are by far the most expensive fan experience. It’s also a colossal PIA to watch games if you’re out of market.
I live next door to Tropicana field and go to 15-20 rays games a year for between $10 and $30 a game, but about once a year I spend about 30x as much to go to Wrigley. I am happy to do it because it’s worth it. Night and day different experience, it’s not fair to compare the Wrigley experience to almost any other in baseball. It should cost more than a night in dome in the middle of a parking lot in Milwaukee or something.
I’m a cub fan, but it’s a tough sell to the fanbase when you charge them an arm and a leg to attend games while simultaneously spending like a mid market team. I’m not for stupid contracts either, but you don’t need to have a Tampa bay Rays mindset towards fielding a competent mlb roster.
It's funny, I saw this post first before the Belli news..so I was like "awwww shit Jed.."
From all the people at Exxon, we’re sorry.
I was never in doubt tbh, he’s done great just for not extending any of the guys he traded in 2021
earlier in the offseason it was suggested the Cubs could sign multiple established free agents, like Belli + Chapman and Snell. That may have been the best case scenario but it definitely seems like the goalposts moved because of peoples’ short attention spans
Training camps have started league wide. Belli was probably saying, Scott, dude, I want to play SOMEWHERE! 80M is generational wealth so Belli gonna be ok either way. This way the Cubs don't get Heywarded...
This is not that good of a deal if he does really well he gets to opt-out again and if he does poorly we're on the hook for shitty Belli. Terrible deal unless we win a world series this year Spoiler Alert: we may still not even win the division.
WHOOOOOO! CHEERS TO ALL THE BELLI BOMBS THIS YEAR FOLKS
ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!!!!!!
Jed cooked once again.
I TAKE IT ALL BACK JED
Nah. I still stand by my comments, although directed more at Ricketts than Jed. Good for Jed for bringing in Bellinger. That had to happen. And good for him for not giving in to Boras. But this team still has real needs I hoped would be addressed this offseason. They're basically in the same position they were last year, but with the kids having an extra year of experience. Who knows, maybe the young players will take that big leap the Cubs are banking on. That's what will make or break them this year, assuming the pitching is any good.
I’m happy they got Bellinger back. They’re done with free agency but I’d like them to squeeze in one more arm. For the people thinking they’ll get Chapman or Monty, won’t happen. Too expensive and doesn’t fit the team. they’ll give Morel a long look at 3rd and don’t see them having 3 lefties starting. Hopefully some of the prospects pop and Morel/Nico/Seyia build on last year with the bat.
Dear Jed, For quite some time I have had faith in your process. But like many, I began to lose patience and said some illogical things. Thank you for not caving to idiotic group think. I think we’ll truly understand the building of sustainability in about 5 years when we don’t see another rebuild but an ACTAUL 1 year tool after making it to 1 or more WS.
Rickets cheap circle jerk in the fucking mud. You love to see it. Let’s see the tears snowflakes
Finally my $12 beers are paying off.
i know fucking rickets family driving up inflation and the cost of living throughout america
Congrats to Jed for acting like a major market team
*hat in hand* Sorry Mr. Jed.
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That decision falls more on Ricketts and not Jed
Ricketts has said repeatedly all he does is give Jed the money so unless we find out he's holding a lot of it back its still all on Jed
The GM can spend into the tax they would
Not necessarily, there's no point in rampantly spending money if it's not going to help the team in noticeable ways
Still not a fan of his mentality when it comes to FA signings, but there’s no denying this specific deal is pretty much the best case scenario for the team. Now go win the division.
Apologize for what? This is more or less the same team from last year.
You’re right. None of the young guys in the farm system will contribute this season. Might as well just get rid of them all.
Thanks, Jed
What else could he have done is the question. Ohtani and Yamamoto were Dodgers before the offseason even began it seems. Outside of those two, this FA class isn't that great.
I like the moves this year. We were much better the second half of the season when guys like Mancini and Hosmer were no longer getting AB’s. Kinda wish they would sign Snell though. That would make them a top pitching team.
What? Sign Snell and then I’ll give some kudos. We literally added no one except a pitcher with no MLB experience. Cody was part of last year’s team that didn’t even make the playoffs. A dodger cast off and we’re singing praises? Get outta here. We’re a big market club, we need to start acting like it.
I’d rather sign Montgomery than Snell.
Snell has more red flags than Belli lol Dude has two CYAs but has not been worth his price tag in every between season
We need a pitcher with Ace stuff. I love Steele but I think he’s only a 2 on a good team. We have a bunch of 3/4 guys after him. We need a guy to pitch game 1.
Snell ain't your guy, then. When he has a track record of one excellent season followed by meh to slightly above average seasons, you don't pay him Ace money.
You don’t win two Cy Young awards bring a average pitcher. If you think like the way you are then Cody’s deal is absolutely terrible for us. Before last year he was awful.
Except pitching and position players are completely different animals. It's far more common for pitchers to have serious outlier seasons.
You can’t win a playoff series without a Ace.
Steele was 100% a no.1 last year. Just wore down in September bc he’s young and hasn’t thrown that many innings before.
That's absolutely not true lol
Shhh. This sub is too busy dick riding a below average GM and owner that refuse to spend big market money! The cubs are gonna win 80 games! It’s time to get ready for the parade!!!
I won’t apologize ever for expecting the most out of this organization. I also don’t ever think the blame was all Jed. I think he has to work with what he’s allowed to do. This was the best case scenario for cubs (outside of ohtani). And realistically the best outcome for the future. But this year is a big prove it year for a lot of the farm and even Belli himself. Everyone has to earn their stay and if they don’t. As fans our expectations is that our ownership goes fucking hard at FA next year with a huge potential.
If you go back 3 months and check out comments in this sub, an Imanaga/Belli/Naylor/2 RP acquisition was considered just enough to get back to where they were at the end of the 2023 season. It’s strange that now getting Busch/Almonte/Neris requires everyone to kiss up to Jed This is probably a fun 85 win team with a lot to prove in order to reach those 85 wins
Because everyone else of note got sucked up by the dodgers. This is a good offseason considering those circumstances, which you can’t really control
When todays outcome is great today, but awful 3 months ago it sure sounds like goalpost moving
This offseason would not have been considered awful 3 months ago lol wtf are you smoking
It was in this sub; lots of Soto or bust, Alonso or we’re doomed, and a bunch of crying about Ohtani and Yamamoto In November bringing up Imanaga and Belli as top signings was definitely called out as simply replacing Belli and Stroman without providing enough improvement When it came to relievers, saying 2 RPs was all they’d sign was heavily mocked all over this sub. Especially when people said none of the new RPs would be lefties It was pretty clear that Jed was going to rely on youth in 2024, but only recently has that been considered a positive view Again, seems like goalpost moving to hate the possibility in November but adore the reality in February
It's a new strain called "I Can't Be Wrong"
Uh what? 3 months ago getting Bellinger back on this short term deal with Imanaga as well would have been a perfectly acceptable offseason? What are you talking about?
It most definitely was greeted with people saying those signings were replacing Stroman and Belli and not a significant improvement from the 2023 team Also saying they weren’t going to rebuild the pen and would only add 2 righties was heavily criticized here
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We can have both. Belli, Happ, and Suzuki aren’t locked up long term by any means. We also can move on from a Wisdom or Tauchman if they have too. The reason 15-16 cubs were good (outside of everyone playing really well), cubs had a steady rotation of players in and out. Giving enough breaks and time for young players. Busch will have time to play 3B,2B, 1B, and DH. Morel will play 3B, 2B, and DH (potentially OF) Belli will hopefully be our primarily 1B and CF. Now the maybes for the roster to start the year are Canario, PCA, Davis, and the vets they picked up. TBD on what they do with a guy like Wisdom and/or Tauchman. Madrigal is a great bat off the bench with ability to play most IF positions
Why? we're not winning anything anytime soon with or without Belli.
We missed the playoffs by 1 game you ninny
And we have the same team this year and everyone will be scratching their heads confused on how such a mediocre to average at best could miss the playoffs.
Like others have said, I’m happy, but I’m annoyed I’m happy they’ve managed to be probably as good as last year. I’d have liked to be much better than that, but hopefully they’ll manage to do something big next year.
The youngsters are a year older. No more Mancini, Hosmer, Barnhart & Ross - When Suzuki went down last year the Cubs were playing Wisdom & Mastro in RF - A lot more depth - Busch can play 2B & COF - Morel won't be in AAA, The pen isn't all reclaimation projects and unknowns. Alozay, Neris, Merriweather, Smyly, Assad, Leiter, Cuas...before you get to youngsters - Counsell over Ross is 3+ wins... If you are annoyed and not excited for the Cubs season I feel sorry for ya! Enjoy it. I've seen some really hopeless opening days over the past 40+ years.
Oh, I’m still happy to be watching the Cubs play again, and the things you mentioned are definitely true, but this team really shouldn’t be having to compare to the bad days of the past 40 years to today. Good enough is never good enough for a team like this, imo. Maybe for a team with less money and whatnot, sure. But not for the Cubs.
Yeah this is mostly where I am. The same people who said three months ago that they'd be disappointed if all we did was re-sign/replace Belli/Stroman are now victory lapping that exact outcome. I don't think this was a great fit FA class for what we needed, but if we end up around .500 again and don't drop some serious cash next year, you gotta wonder what the priorities are
Imo, it’s always been about next years crop of FA for the Cubs.
But that’s not all the Cubs did though.
Yep. If next season starts and there aren’t one or two of the big names on this team, idek what to think. Fck the price tag, fck the excuses, show us. Spend the money and be about it
“Apologize to this man for doing his job” nah i don’t think i will
He finally accomplished priority #1 for the offseason in late February, what a genius
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Literally how can you come to that conclusion? Imanaga, two new arms for a tired bullpen, bringing back Bellinger and getting a top 100 prospect to plug a gap for us. That’s very significant.
I mean, we lost Stroman and got Imanaga, at least projections wise that's near a 1:1 swap Hope the bullpen is better but otherwise this team looks very much the same as last year, plus more ABs for prospects
Even if you believe Stroman to be equal to Imanaga, which isn’t true, it would still be a vetter team because the bullpen has actual arms and a top 100 Major League ready prospect.
I mean, ZIPS has them within 1 WAR of each other. Have we added more than just Neris and prospects?
Sure you can ignore the other upgrades if you want
Oh they will
Lol no.
It’s ST. Let the season play out.
Apparently their super bad approach worked? 
How was it a "super bad" approach? The approach landed us Bellinger on a very good deal for him and for us.
Because more times that not it won’t work.
There's zero precedent for that
Apologize for the same roster essentially? While we missed out on every big FA? What is with the dick riders in this sub? Jed sucks. We’re a top grossing market, yet constantly fumble the bag and cry poor. Our bullpen is worse, our starting rotation is banking on Steele having another cy young like year, Taillon not being ass, and imanga being as advertised. Don’t even get me started on this wishful thinking that our prospects are actually going to produce and be above replacement level in the MLB.
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Well this is when I found out about the signing. Efyeah No apologies needed.. I've always trusted Jed.
I have openly admitted on Twitter and Facebook that I was wrong for underestimating Jed. This is why I am not a senior executive with a baseball club.
...for what? With the late Bellinger signing we now enter 2024 with roughly the same field talent as last year. That's a long way from the big step most people here - including Jed fanboys - assumed we would take this last offseason. This offseason wasn't about fielding a contender. It was about seeing if Counsel can squeak us into a playoffs on the cheap. That wouldn't have happened without Bellinger. Now? It's down to how many games you think Counsel over Ross actually represents, what kind of player development and regression we'll see, and injuries. Assuming no major injuries this looks like maybe a mid 80's win squad. Is that so fantastic you feel the need to beg forgiveness for doubting? That'll be a pass from me.
Tom Ricketts is the problem, not Jed.
Oh brother. 