Cody Bellinger is going back to the Chicago Cubs, agreeing to an $80 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The slugger can opt out of the deal after each of the first two years. The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a physical. Bellinger’s return would be a big win for the Cubs, who waited into spring training as the center fielder explored his options in free agency. He hit a career-best .307 with 26 homers, 97 RBIs, and 20 steals in 130 games for Chicago in 2023.
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SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Major League Baseball’s move to slice two seconds off the pitch clock with runners on base is too much, too soon, according to the head of the players’ union. MLBPA executive director Tony Clark said on Saturday that pitchers around the league are concerned about injuries now that the pitch clock is moving from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with men on base in 2024. The pitch clock will stay at 15 seconds with no one on base. MLB introduced a new rules package last season that radically cut game times by about 25 minutes, which was the quickest games have been played since 1984. MLB still wants to shave a few more minutes off game times, cutting the pitch clock even more for the upcoming season.
