Immediately after the 2023 season ended for the Cubs, fans began the Cody Bellinger watch. Every season there are a number of free agents on the same postseason trajectory. Fans know that the player wants to test the market, even though they really loved playing in City X. In Bellinger’s case, his agent, Scott Boras screws things up for the fans and teams because he liked to drag things out when he can.
We know he loved playing in Wrigley last year, because every Dodger loves playing for the Cubs. Just ask Eric Karros, but not Bill Buckner. Last winter, Bellinger signed a one-year contract on December 14. At the time nobody expected greatness from him, but that’s essentially what they got. Dansby Swanson signed on the dotted line a week later (7 years) and a little over a month later, they signed OF/1b, Trey Mancini to a two-year deal. (which proved to be a massive failure). Everything happened very quickly and for some reason, we expected the Cubs brass to act equally as quickly and decisively.
Thus, when the Cubs added outfielder, David Peralta as a non-roster-invitee, they sort of took some of their offseason sluggishness out of the spotlight. Everything is predicated on Peralta making the team out of camp for any of this to matter. And unlike most of the veterans NRI’s in camp, the back of his baseball card isn’t too shabby. He’s been a productive player over the years and has been available. Gold glove outfielder, check. Silver Slugger, check. 30+ homers in a season, check. Maybe most importantly, in my book, his overall numbers .279/.335/.450 are pretty consistent. In his worst season, he slashed .251/.316/.415 in 134 games split between Arizona and Tampa Bay. That’s far better than most NRI’s looking for second or third chances. Too many of today’s ballplayers sink to the dreaded .211. And the folks covering the game, make excuses and pretend that it’s acceptable. Guys who hit .211 are more apt to descend further, rather than bouncing back to .245.
From all accounts, Peralta players nice with others and his performance isn’t trending downward, but nobody is claiming that his presence would offset Bellinger’s absence. I’m not sure that his presence in camp will be enough of a distraction for fans hoping for a Belli return.
If he should make the team out of camp, I’m not sure if that’s good for the Cubs chances in 2024. Likewise, if he gets his typical 325 plate appearances, I’m betting plans A-C fell through.
