Cody Bellinger and the Chicago Cubs are reuniting on a three-year, $80 million contract, a league source confirmed Sunday, ending the saga of a free agent who dramatically improves the team’s outlook.

The longer Bellinger went unsigned, waiting until after the start of Cactus League games, the more this appeared to be the likely resolution. Bellinger enjoyed virtually everything about his comeback season with the Cubs — except for the ending that saw the team miss the playoffs by one game. By the start of spring training, the Cubs still had questions about their lack of left-handed power and whether they had found suitable replacements in center field and at first base, the two positions where Bellinger can play defense at a high level.

Cubs fans were waiting for this statement. This is a win for president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, general manager Carter Hawkins and a front office that did not waver. It’s also a moment for Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts, who made headlines last week by saying that the team was waiting for Bellinger and agent Scott Boras to “get serious.”

This is essentially another “pillow contract” for Bellinger. The agreement, which was first reported by ESPN, includes opt-out clauses after the first and second years. The deal is also pending a medical review.

Source confirms: Cody Bellinger and Cubs in agreement on three-year, $80 million contract that includes opt-outs after each year. Salaries of $30M, $30M and $20M. First: @JeffPassan.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 25, 2024

Once a budding superstar with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bellinger was released after the 2022 season, a decision driven by a series of injuries, a drastic drop in performance and his projected salary. The Dodgers, one of the smartest and richest organizations in professional sports, did not offer Bellinger a contract through the arbitration system, letting him leave without receiving any form of compensation other than cost savings.

Boras advised Bellinger to forgo any interest in a multiyear commitment and sign a one-year deal with a team that could provide a comfortable situation for one season. In this scenario, Bellinger could prove he was healthy, show off his well-rounded skills and re-enter the free-agent market at age 28.

Bellinger’s one-year partnership with the Cubs surpassed any reasonable expectations for the former National League MVP (2019) and Rookie of the Year (2017). It started with regular hitting sessions at the team’s Arizona complex, which is not far from where he grew up and still maintains a home. His training program allowed him to play 130 games at a high level and produce a 4.4 WAR season (Baseball Reference). The change of scenery combined with good relationships with the team’s hitting coaches helped him get back on track.