If Cody Bellinger opts for free agency, as Jed Hoyer suggested the Chicago Cubs believe he will, they must evaluate how to fill his departure.

When we signed the deal in late February, if he had a good year, we knew he’d have a lot of options,” Hoyer said.

Before the Cubs can decide with certainty what their offseason approach will be, they need to find out whether outfielder Cody Bellinger will return for the 2025 season or choose to opt out and hit free agency this winter.