‘$300 million is not impossible.’

Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger is writing a truly unexpected drama. With four weeks left until the end of the season, Bellinger is increasing his stock price by making great performances every day.

Bellinger appeared as the number 4 designated hitter in the away game against the Cincinnati Reds held at Great American Ball Park on the 4th (Korean time), and hit a hard hit with 2 hits in 5 at-bats, 3 RBIs, and 1 run, including a home run, leading to a 15-7 victory. led.

The Cubs, with a record of 73 wins and 64 losses, maintained second place in the NL Central Division and second place in the wild card. The gap between the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants, and Miami Marlins, who are tied for third place in the wild card, is 3.5 games. FanGraphs predicted the Cubs’ probability of advancing to the playoffs was 69.9%.

It is no exaggeration to say that Bellinger’s bat was the driving force that enabled the Cubs, who were 7 wins short of a .500 winning percentage as of July 18, to advance toward fall baseball with such fierce momentum. Bellinger was out for a month with a knee injury. After returning from June 16, he gradually improved his batting skills, and in July, he completely regained his 2019 MVP force.

On this day, Bellinger scored important RBIs at every critical point. Bellinger, who scored the first run in the top of the first inning by hitting a heavy hit with one out and runners on 1st and 3rd base, went out as the leadoff hitter in the top of the 6th inning when he was down 3-4, and hit left-hander Chasen Shreve’s 2nd pitch, an 81 mph sweeper high in the middle, and hit a solo shot over the center wall. The score was tied 4-4. In the 8th inning, ahead 9-5, with bases loaded and one out, he hit a sacrifice fly to left field to add an RBI.

Cody Bellinger is expected to demand more than $300 million in free agency after this season. AFP Yonhap News
In 4 games played in September, he had a batting average of 0.412 (7 hits in 17 at-bats), 3 home runs, and 7 RBIs.

As of today, Bellinger, with a batting average of 0.320 (130 hits in 406 at-bats), 23 home runs, 84 RBI, 79 runs, and an OPS of 0.916, is 4th in NL batting average, tied for 20th in home runs, 12th in RBIs, 14th in runs scored, and 5th in NL OPS. He had a batting average of 0.346, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, and an OPS of 0.998 in 48 games in the second half alone. In the second half of the year, he ranked 3rd in batting average, 6th in home runs, 1st in RBIs, and 6th in OPS.

Bellinger, who became free after being released from the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter, signed a ‘1+1 year’ contract with the Cubs. If his performance is the same as now, it is likely that he will give up his $12.5 million mutual option next year after this season and enter the free agent market.

Local media predict that he will be the second-highest player in the free agent market, following Shohei Ohtani (LA Angels). It is said to be at least $200 million, but agent Scott Boras may aim for $300 million over 10 years. The Dodgers decided to non-tender him because the minimum annual salary of $17 million that they had to pay him was a waste, but it can be seen that he is now showing off his skills with an average annual salary of $30 million.토토사이트

Boras said in an interview with USA Today on the 28th of last month, “Demand is always created from scarcity. If a 5-tool player with high level skills at a young age can hit, run, and power bat as a Gold Glove-level center fielder and first baseman, he can become a major player.” “He is a rare commodity in the league,” he said. “The demand for such players is very high.”

Reporter Bob Nightingale of this media outlet reported the news from the Major League that day and said, “The Cubs, San Francisco, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees are cited as the teams that will actively pursue Bellinger. His price will be very high.” He predicted that he might ask for more than $200 million and $300 million.

If it is Boras, it is highly likely that he will lead the negotiations using $300 million as a base. This is why I safely signed a 1+1 year contract last winter.