We've been waiting for news on Cody Bellinger and here it is:

So Bellinger remains a Cub and will play a third season on the North Side.

Largely due to injuries, Bellinger's 2024 season wasn't as good as his 2023 season, although it was certainly pretty decent: .266/.325/.426 with 23 doubles, 18 home runs and nine stolen bases. That was good for 2.2 bWAR after he posted a 4.4 bWAR season in 2023 and received some downballot MVP votes.

That leaves the Cubs' outfield largely the same as it was in 2024, with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Bellinger (left to right) and Seiya Suzuki as the primary hitter.

If you ever thought about the Cubs signing Juan Soto as a free agent, I think it would be a pretty big deal, and if the Cubs are going to spend money this offseason, that's – and should be, in my opinion – spent will be pitching and perhaps adding a catcher via trade.

Meanwhile, Bellinger is betting he has a better year in 2025 and hits free agency next offseason. If he does that, maybe it will help the Cubs in the postseason.

As always, we await developments.