There is a traditional Mexican standoff happening between Jed Hoyer and Scott Boras over Cody Bellinger. In the old western movies, the combatants waited until the clock struck twelve. Here, there is no deadline. Spring Training has begun, yet their keen gaze remains unchanged. However, this conflict of determination could result in a catastrophe for Bellinger. What if the meeting with the Chicago Cubs doesn’t work out before it even starts?
President Jed Hoyer’s level of discipline is not unfamiliar. Ultimately, he is the one who exchanged the last pieces of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series-winning club. Making difficult judgments is his strength, and with discussions lasting so long, will he be able to make the most challenging one?
One positive development for the Cubs supporters is that after tough negotiations, the Cubs are still the top choice for Bellinger. According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, Bellinger’s top preference seems to be staying with Chicago. However, Bowden also mentioned that the standoff between Hoyer and Boras is dragging on for too long. However, the concerning aspect came when the insider suggested that there was a possibility that Hoyer could back out of the agreement.
Hoyer and Boras appear to be at an impasse on the price they are requesting for Cody Bellinger. Although the agent is seeking a minimum of $200 million for his client, Hoyer is not willing to spend that amount for the slugger. The main reason is that the two are concentrating on distinct elements of Bellinger.
On one side, Boras has repeatedly used Belli’s 2019 NL MVP season and his impressive performance in 2023 to showcase his client’s skills. However, Hoyer and the other executives cannot overlook Bellinger’s difficult years from 2020 to 2022. However, while that problem persists, this new scenario has added complexity.
What if Jed Hoyer decides not to go through with the deal? It’s not difficult for Hoyer; he has done it previously. He left Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant when things didn’t align with his desires. That would definitely impact Belli’s free agency, given there are few teams showing interest at the moment.
The Cubs are currently listed at +3500 (53/1) to win the World Series at online sportsbooks. If and when Bellinger signs, that number may drop just a tad to something like 32/1.
The present situation of Cody free agency
A few weeks ago, it seemed like Bellinger was benefiting from the skills of Scott Boras once more. He was connected to teams including the Toronto Blue Jays, LA Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, and the San Francisco Giants. It generated a sense of competitiveness around Belli, although that was short-lived. The Phillies’ connections faded as fast as they were made, while the others have been inconsistent. Once more, the Cubs are in the lead.
The main problem has consistently been the expensive price that Bellinger is asking for. However, Scott Boras is never the one to take responsibility. Therefore, this tight situation between Boras and Hoyer in negotiations could escalate shortly.
